With Painted Words

Human, Being

by Anna Cianciolo

Cleave it

open, and out 

tumbles

a world

of hair and shell beads,

precious stones,

and clay,

 

ancient memories

of skin

crusted with mud, 

bleached

by the sun, resembling

elephant hide

or statues, hands 

raised

in supplication,

 

hushed stories

of gods

with many faces, hurling 

storms and

fire, breathing

life

into dirt and bones,

 

faint echoes

of painted fingers 

grazing

cave walls, speaking

dreams

of royal

highness.