Artifact

She shimmers golden

large eyes etched into her face,

light streaming from all angles

her hand open in blessing.

She is old and brings with her

an old knowing

She brings it through storms of time

and rests with it here on my shelf.

I almost sense her like a mother

urging a child, telling me

“Here, take this ruthless love,

it is good, take the moment,

eat, eat…”

Golden warrior goddess

mother of tribes

bringer of life

bringer of death

of an end to all things.

I feel her ringing with this fierce love

practically shaking the walls down with it.

Only inches high

yet the room cannot contain her.

The light floods out

seeps through cracks in

windows, doors, and on out

into the night sky to join the stars.

I turn off the lamp and reluctantly

leave her there, walk to my room.

For now, while all the gods and saints

converge to keep creation alive,

I must get some sleep.

©2023 Clelia Vahni Lewis