Beneath the Altar
       

Beneath Zeus’ altar
they’ve found a god older
than Zeus: praise that.
Which womb wandered
half hidden from view
for her or him?
Are all gods carried
before they come to us?

Winter cottonwood frozen
in a picture of fear: no one
carries you & you splay.
I carry you as an image
few would turn to: in your light
my arms are many
and inflexible as fate.

I carry you anyway.
In the light of eight
your power of shadow
comes into you.

The god before Zeus
had an idea of power
but not power itself. I know this
because it’s what I’ve got
& I’m not born yet.

Beneath the altar bones and script.
They say a cow with child
just thinks she’s sick.

Tweet

Copyright © 2013 Katie Peterson All rights reserved
from Permission
New Issues Poetry & Prose
Reprinted by Verse Daily® with permission