The First Word
At the sea’s edge, in the hiss
and hush of wave, the first man
gathers sling-stones.
Suddenly he puts one
on his tongue. This is the start
of
language. Watch any child.
The salt is desire. The stone
is stop.
_______
The First Book
Pasiphae, daughter of the Sun,
wanted to know sex with a bull.
So she had built a wooden contrivance
in the shape of a cow, with appropriate
openings. In this story, language
is a box for light, a framework to hold us
while the huge world enters.
Birth roar of the minotaur,
the first word. The first book
a labyrinth, and Daedelus
catching birds in darkness.
Erin, I don't comment much, because for the most part, for me, it's a massive repitition. Just my jaw on the ground, in awe.
Wonderfully intricate and contained. I've lately been researching much in the origin of written language in Mesopotamia which holds a similar fascination for me -- it's interesting to see such an abstract subject given spare and sure
form!
Crystal: Repetition! What makes you think I might get tired of hearing that repeated?
Ancarett: be sure to pass on any particularly glittering bits for my little magpie brain.