Everywoman to Everyman

[Rootsie]

are you
every man?

I see my ancient mariner
my true lover from ancient times
your eyes grave and far and full of sea
Olokun rock me endlessly.

I smile and all at once you grin,
you are the green man, the goat man
you lead me with your merry twinkle
right off the cliff

the Eros love shot
to the heart eternal boy!
all muscle and shine I call you down
to my garden divine.

Sorrow passes like cloud shadows
over your flickering face,
yes my love these are terrible days
and we give thanks
for a moment of grace.

You are the awful angel who guards
the tree of life with your sword
pacing back and forth,
your manliness an imprint
three million years old!
You hold so dearly
what is yours to hold.

You are the shepherd, the husbandman
       who tends
and then Shiva
       who rends
so that all may be made new again.

My sturdy boat
       my king!
Sometimes your crown slips down
over one eye, the pirate who takes
and then it is his.
I am lost in swan down pinned by mighty wings,
impaled on the great bull's horn,
my Zeus drawn down from Olympus,
a certain scent, a curve, a swell
that catches
his breath
that calls him home.