Here’s the 9th poem, for the 9th day! I take inspiration here from Osa, (Oh- sah) the odu in Yoruban divination that is about change, transformation and — travel. Any way, I’m playing with that here. Enjoy!
Osa is 9 — Max Wolf Valerio
Osa is movement, 9 heads of the hydra
brooding just beneath water puncturing the surface
of the vast ocean in bursts
wild wire columns of hurricane winds
lifting up into the atmosphere poised
in rankling sheets of air
Osa transforms Nine is nine columns of wind
Up right and then, tilting
hurtling toward the creation of
ten
ten holds two places
one is full and another signifies
emptiness or completion the awesome possibility of zero
an infinite multiplication of mad ruffling numerals stilts on fire lightning ahead of the calling winds
atomic and scorching to white dust
rending of cloth and high-pitched howls tornado amplification
O-sah transformation in a cacophony of voices speaking
inside cemeteries the boss lady of the graveyard listening and calling out anonymous in a crowd unseen yet felt from a distance
nine and nine nearly tipping over –
an avenging angel sword and flashing bolts
open the future
by Max Wolf Valerio (c) April 9, 2012
Max Wolf Valerio 