[Editor’s Note: This essay was included in She Summons: Why Goddess Feminist Activist Spirituality? Volume 1, coedited by Kaalii Cargill and Helen Hye-Sook Hwang (Mago Books, 2021).]
The Descent of The Light
Apparently, He has a sister.
She’s spirited as hell.
Does somersaults in cramped spaces.
holds up the heart in front of mirror
what do you see now?
Peers through tight throated fear
smashes the statue it’s become
riots on cracks of streets
looting, burning.
We were given fire for many things
including fortified ground.
I like this girl
the daughter we’ve always had
the sister he’s always had.
Siblings with their secrets
illuminated under sacred breath
About the Author: A graduate of Queen’s University Artist In The Community Education Program, Rhonda Melanson has been published in several print and online magazines, including Juniper, The Boxcar Poetry Review, Quill’s, Philadelphia Poets, Ascent Aspirations, Lummox, and the Windsor Review. In 2011, she published a chapbook called Gracenotes with Beret Days Press, and she is also featured in the Encompass IV anthology, a publication from Beret Days Press and The Ontario Poetry Society. She was featured in Nasty Women and Bad Hombres, A Poetry Anthology, edited by Deena November and Nina Padolf (Lascaux Editions) and in Tamaracks, An Anthology of Canadian Poetry, edited by RD Armstrong. She also works collaboratively on a soon to be released literary blog Uproar.