Three Chants Found on Statuary

by Judith Cody

Eric Satie roams alone through Paris; it rains.

While Striking Feathers:
Rain is dislodged is fallen—transmogrifies into sweat
Dew is dissolved is absorbed—transmogrifies into sweat
Blood is drawn is congealed—transmogrifies into sweat
Urine is discharged is rain—transmogrifies into sweat

(Audience applauds while spasmodically coughing.)

With Drum Held Close:
All that is love is all that is lost is lost is lost
All that is beauty is all that is lost is lost is lost
All that is grief is all that is lost is lost is lost
All that is lost is all that is lost is lost is lost

(Conductor flings baton into the solitary cello.)

With Blades Dancing
Sing words next to caskets
Sense words flooding cities
Strew words over torments
Speak words someone hears

(Some people return clasping Styrofoam cups.)

Category: Poetry, SNHU Creative Writing, SNHU online creative writing

About the Author

Judith Cody, poet, composer and photographer is published in over 90 journals and anthologies. She has won many national awards. A poem of hers is in the Smithsonian’s permanent collection, in Spanish and English editions. Cody's books include: the internationally noted biography of composer, “Vivian Fine: A Bio-Bibliography,” “Eight Frames Eight, Poems” and “Woman Magic.” Cody was editor-in-chief of the first “Resource Guide on Women in Music,” San Francisco State University and she edited a PEN Oakland anthology. A poem was selected by the Norton Center for the Arts to be featured in a year-long exhibit on relationships between literature and photography. Cody loves long hikes and teaching organic gardening. She received the University of California Master Gardener lifetime achievement award. Her website is: www.judithcody.com.