IX.

(In 1974) we were relocated …
We call the … community
Yuwehloo Pahki,
Spider Mound.

–Rosa Ellen Honani

Rise still again and rise always, up where the snow lingers,
up where the juniper riots, and the
yellow rainflower too, where the grade
is unmeasured and best god wills it always to be so.

It is only a sliver, this refugery, of ground
Pon witch to sing the cleansing of clary
sage smudge wild kitten smoke
or skunk it’s hard to tell.

Ascend to the rim of white rock
where each seedling loves you best,
where the nine eight-legged half-sisters weave poor
for they shall draw their own blessings if at all.

For the Others, Spider is a happy Gramma
accomplished of easy fecundity, crocheter
of scarves and worlds, legendary crone and
wide-hipped bearer of many maidens.

In the door to this rock
shelter, I and i know bitter
and so sweet: She spins to
seduce, enthrall, captivate, lure, wrap, devour;

Her names are liquid
Darkness of egg sac Shell,
fathomless arid ocean, and
oh no child, She knitteth not.

25 April 16, MM 36