Recently I submitted a piece of prose poetry/creative non-fiction to an Agon being hosted by Galina Krasskova over at Gangleri's Grove. Though I did not win the Agon (that honor went to others), it was fun to write my piece. Writing can be a deep act of devotion, and it means so much to be able to write about and for the Deities who I love and who also love me.
This Agon was in honor of both Minerva and Apollo. I've written about Minerva (well, specifically Athena) for this blog and for Paranormal Galaxy Magazine, so be sure to check out that piece, too. You can find my official Agon submission here, but I am also pleased and honored to offer it to you now:
Agon for Minerva
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| D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths |
March 215
Of
glorious Minerva, guardian of the polis,
I begin to sing.
1995
Minerva,
you were my first true love. You are
tall, beautiful, proud, stoic, and wise.
You don’t take shit from anyone.
As a child who is bullied by both parents and peers, I appreciate your gumption. Even when the whole world tells me “no”, you
show me that women have a place in the government, in the military, as masters
of their own destiny.
1999
I
write a short story about you for a classroom assignment in history class. You are clever, strong, and intelligent. You’re everything I want to be.
2008 to Present
Owls
everywhere.
July 2012
While
I am visiting family in New Mexico I find a little soapstone owl, carved by Mexican
artists. It reminds me of your Athene noctua. I pack it up in my skirts, hoping it won’t
break on the flight back to North Carolina.
August 2012
I’m
about to start graduate school. I seek
allies, and I am told that you are there, waiting for me. I’m surprised, but no one else is. You have always been there, waiting for
me. I know this now.
September 2012
I
have a little porcelain owl with a cute face.
I don’t know where it came from.
I bring the owl to my internship, tucked away in my bag, safe between
books on racism and labor rights. I find
a place of honor for your owl in my little office. Sometimes during the day I take time out from
my work and study to talk to it. Sometimes
I kiss the little owl.
2012
In
social work school I learn about social justice. I learn about the ills that plague a fair and
just society - racism, sexism, classism, homophobia. I learn about advocacy for clients. Soon I realize that if social workers have a
patron goddess, surely it is you, Minerva.
I’m honored that my career is within your domain, and that when I fight
for my clients I am also fighting for you.
I strive to serve my community, and like Athena of the Polis, I realize that all communities
are your communities, too.
2012
I blend
oil for you in a little amber bottle labeled with glitter. The highest quality herbs and fragrant essential
oils. Every few days I give it a good
shake so it won’t settle. Sometimes I
close my eyes and I smell it, inhale deeply.
There’s just a touch of crushed dragon’s blood resin mixed with ground
cinnamon powder, with large drops of lavender.
It’s not particularly aromatic, not light or feminine. But this brew is powerful and it smells like
you. Like olive oil and patchouli leaf,
added in at the last minute.
January 2013
You
are the first goddess I write about on my new blog. A classmate reads my words, much to my
surprise. He remarks “wow, I didn’t know
any of that about Minerva.”
2013
We
swap jewelry as part of a ritual devoted to you. These gems and baubles are to be our symbolic
shields. I craft a beaded necklace,
wanting to keep it for myself but knowing it needs to go to another. During the ritual, I am given a leather
bracelet. It’s heavy, etched with the
sun, shaped like the moon. The woman who
passes it on explains to me that to her it was a symbol of power, of her own
coming into being as a self-aware woman.
I like that.
May 2013
Finally
I make my own earrings - chunks of turquoise and little amber beads. I soak these for weeks in your patchouli and
olive oil, until the stones start to change color. I wear them like you would wear your
aegis. Sometimes I hang the earrings on
my owls, because they like to be pretty and powerful, too.
June 2013 – Fortunalia
In
between semesters, and I’m anxious about what comes next. I pour your bittersweet oil over the flames,
and my comrades remark “wow, that smells good!”
I offer my prayers and offerings to you, asking for your guidance. You have walked with me so far, and I hope you’ll
remain with me still.
Summer 2013
I
attend my first Moral Monday march. I’m
nervous, but I feel justified. I wear
your bracelet with the sun and the moons.
I wear your earrings, turquoise and amber. I march and march and march. I chant I chant I chant. I sign I sing I sing. You are with me the whole time. Throughout the summer I return to the weekly
marches as often as I am able, and you are with me every time. You are with us always.
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| http://www.flyingtigerantiques.com |
2013
A
veteran tells me that you were her “first Goddess.” As Pallas Athena, you offered your visage to
the Women's Army Corps insignia. A whole
new generation of valor, honor, excellence, and wisdom.
August 2013
I
go to an interview for an internship at a state psychiatric hospital. Before I leave, I offer you prayers and
incense. I wear your scent, anoint your
owls with oil. I wear your bracelet and your
earrings. They don’t match my carefully
chosen outfit, but I don’t care. I’m
calling on your strength because I need it so badly. This hospital is a new battlefield.
The
interview doesn’t go well, but I get the internship anyway. A year later, my supervisor tells me that
after 30 years of interns, I’m one of the best he’s ever had.
I’m
excellent only because you help me to shine, Radiant Goddess.
Summer 2014
Another
summer of Moral Monday marches. Another
summer with you.
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June 2014 – Neptunalia
More
prayers, more oil poured upon the flame for you. I’ve finally completed graduate school, and
now I’m looking for a job. I’m
unemployed and I’m depressed. “You’ve
been with me so far,” I pray. “Please do
not abandon me now.” My comrades who
have struggled and suffered through unemployment understand my pleading. They pray with me. We pray together. We pray to you, Minerva.
December 2014
After
a summer of images of teargas and blood, I’m scared, but I make myself go to
the march, anyway. I anoint myself and
my comrades with your oil. I wear your
jewelry like I’d wear armor. In terror,
I watch a friend get arrested. I’m
surrounded by hundreds of police officers in riot gear. As the lady of the polis, I realize that you walk on both sides, with both the protestors and the police. You guide us
all with your wisdom, leading us on with a sense of justice.
March 2015
I
anoint your owls and images with bittersweet oils. I recite your prayers with a strong voice and
steady song. I meditate upon your
beautiful visage with love and reverence.
What can I say that hasn’t already been said by others far more
worthy? What can I sing that has not
already been sung throughout the ages? What
can I give you that is not already yours?
And
so hail to you, daughter of Jove who holds the aegis! Hail, Minerva, and give us good fortune and
happiness! Now I will remember you and
another song as well.
You served Minerva well.
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much, my friend!
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