Guardians (a poem)

                                    Guardians

                             She calls the power to
                             Women in Circle dance.
                        She drums the Heartbeat forth,
                            drowning out Darkening.

                            Dragoning magic rites,
                         blindfolded, sword sharpened,
                            firelit, the other woman
                            beckons the Hearkening.

                           Singing with tambourines,
                        Conscience bared, Fire  Jumpers;
                            leaping the passions that
                            threaten the journeying.

                               Meditate mystery,
                           Back through the labyrinth
                            sacred of ancient ones,
                              corridors echoing.

                           Drums she the Silver Chord
                           tying their spirits down;
                          sounding the pressure waves
                        pushed forth by blood surging.

                            Smoke draws the elements
                            Thunder and Lightening.
                              Wise one in Center is
                             singing the Ripening.

                            Back from the Underground
                          sleepwalk the Dreaming Ones.
                           Up through the thicket and
                           stone are they wandering.

                           She who is warding Death,
                            ceases with brandishing.
                              Open is Circle and
                              ended the Gathering.

                                --Mary Riversong
                                 Copyright 2002