deepundergroundpoetry.com
Once A Long Time Ago
a god and goddess
had a child
fair of face
came a famine
a sacrifice was needed
by mother nature
or a tribe goes extinct
so they sacrificed their child
cutting her to pieces
strewing her remains
on the cleared hills
with incantations and chants
out sprouted food plants
and the land was good again
paddy, potatoes, tapioca
now land of plenty
cannibalism's highest order.
http://www.flyingdusun.com/004_Features/010_Kaamatan02.htm
*this poem was entered in a competition here, thank you for reading*
Published 11th Jun 2017
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
likes 7
reading list entries 0
comments 12
reads 653
Commenting Preference:
The author is looking for friendly feedback.
11th Jun 2017 6:55am
11th Jun 2017 9:48am
archetype23, thank you for dropping by and reading. It is indeed an interesting legend.
11th Jun 2017 10:38am
there is so much sacrifice in creation myths - one wonders how humanity survives - there again the earth will devour its children when it needs to with global warming and such other power as Gaia has at her disposal
12th Jun 2017 1:45am
Gaia gives generously and will take what she wants, when she wants...thank you SweetOblivion for reading me.:)
11th Jun 2017 3:15pm
Cannibalism is definitely a shocking concept for me, but you make it seem normal here lol nice work!
12th Jun 2017 1:46am
11th Jun 2017 6:38pm
This could be a more benign form of cannibalism, if that's possible. Rather than eat the child's flesh it becomes fertilizer and the landscape flourishes. The question remains if it's humane to sacrifice a child if such bounty is the result. A matter for the reader to decide.I suppose. I always did love tapioca.
12th Jun 2017 1:50am
Legend has it that the sacrificed one returned every harvest day to visit the rice barn and watch the revellers during that time. The shamans and mediums would clear the celebration area of evil spirits so she could visit in peace. As for human sacrifice, the ancient did not look at it like we would I suppose:) thank you for reading me Crowfly:) appreciate you as always.
11th Jun 2017 7:45pm
So we shall never forget that anytime we eat of its bounty,we eat the poor child who was sacrificed. Beautiful write
12th Jun 2017 1:52am
And that's why Dustyjjewels, we never waste our food, especially rice and tubers, in deference to Her who died to replenish the land.:) thank you for being here and reading me.
17th Jul 2017 5:57am
This is evocative of the cyclical nature of existence. Death and birth, each having their necessary role on the wheel of time. Interesting fable Grace.
17th Jul 2017 1:58pm
Yes it is...we have a festival dedicated to it too. Thank you Daniel for reading.
