by Susan Lewington
Anatomy Dichotomy
Steep Bundeena bush tramping
Indigenous rock carvings
sacred caves burial site
vigilant vines lumpy track
intractable cliff climbers
shrouded sylphs slipping stepping
support gnarled knotty trunks
another leads ant-like lines
we form a narrow sprite shrine
– I am at the back.
Sudden shrill sharp screech shocks screams
shouts shatter crystal salt air
birds fly off flapping horror
clustered hallowed girls
huddled with bedraggled scarves
pointing to salt soaked shallows
below catching breath, look see
what has wrought this commotion
thank goodness – noted muted
mirthful murmurs giggle.
Hushed voices some have bolted
others stopped to peer and gawk
like heaven’s messengers lost
in their holy veils and smocked
pocket uniforms hidden
‘Move on Amanie, Sabah,
Madeeha’ I chide relief
alive, no cataclysm happened
on this auspicious cliff-top
ledge we slide and climb.
‘We haven’t got all day girls’
‘Ms Look, see? He’s got no clothes
on’ whispers Zainab pointing
through trees in contemplative
awe – gaze pursues her slender
hennaed finger pointed – where
I see a swimmer naked
standing in the joyful waves
oblivious of audience –
– invisible voyeurs.
Peek through acacia curtains
squinting in sun’s bedazzled
beams, covered in layer upon
layer hot cotton rigid rules
on this burning scorching day.
Poor souls. His perfect handsome
surfer’s body lashed by licking
waves, droplets, riverlets down
haunches bronzed by noble sun –
flaxen surfer boy
With bulging pecs body-surfs
God-given glory alone
with foam and flotsam
standing majestic splendid
white bubbles kiss naked skin,
blue eyes calm and free he can’t
hear muffled whispers breathlessly
admitting interest, he reaches
shallows, water runs in ripples
off Coke can abs
I sigh at this dichotomy
of physical anatomy –
a shrouded teacher standing
glancing back with black burqa
being blown across her mouth
by a gust of carefree wind
– It clings on hollow bones
she freezes on the crest it flaps
the image burns my soul somehow
woman – veiled black mask.
Viewer, viewed, free, chosen, all
bewitched with emboldened eyes
brazen flushed faces heated
vermillion blushes, wide eyed
pursed lips numinous- I tell
flock to ‘Move along’ but them
cannot resist quick furtive
glances to their right – why not?
Must keep going forward.
They might
– Slip.
As Dreams are Made Of
Saddha Inman Emunah –
makes gilded promises gossamer wings
blissful existence golden images Nirvana
shameless angel convinces without conscience
signs up for all time and beyond, hope’s progeny
starves dresses chides charms tells them how to
think, dream, opposed to reason created creation.
Saddha Inman Emunah –
melted into air sweet air burning hell fire
they are awed yet serenely terrified reduced
hope trust belief havoc tricks loves laments
chaos with burning heart, condones solemn temples
turns them lures them into heaven who else
can hear the angels hierarchies in awe of them.
Saddha Inman Emunah-
wins hearts telling millions endless chanting
shall inherit peace Earth gives hope enchanted
promises of harmony Valhalla
creates rules punishes ambiguous shaman
dangerous companion kabbalah
rules with pointed finger – Oh crescent moon.
Editor’s Note on Anatomy Dichotomy and As Dreams are Made Of:
Anatomy Dichotomy and As Dreams are Made Of are not the first poems that Susan Lewington has had published in Eastlit. Apart from these, she has previously featured work as listed:
- Another Day Above the Ground published in the December 2013 issue of Eastlit.
