Walking Away
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I was a priestess
looking down, I can see my feet
shod in sandals of river reeds
my body free and naked
a necklace of seeds
swaying slightly
between my breasts
my hand resting
on the nape of my friend
a large, warm, softly daydreaming tiger
. . . we had grown up together
he was a kitten in my cradle
with me every moment
as I slept and played
I remember that day vividly
standing there with my hand on his neck
I can still feel the over-arching shock
the helpless inevitability
My father, the village chief
had just told me
I was to be
"honored"
the next virgin sacrifice
As priestesses we understood
it was always
possible
... sacrificial offerings ...
but I never wanted it
never thought it would be me --
the daughter of the village chief
He said my power was
strong
and pure
The village was
weak
and tainted
it needed me
my sacrifice
to restore its rightness
I remember feeling stunned
as my father walked away
casually logical
leaving me
alone
in a dense swirling fog
I hazily remember
Balesh rising
calmly from his daydream
my hand still tangled in his fur
he began walking
I mistily remember
taking the first steps
beside him
Many footsteps we took together
without stopping
I vaguely remember the walking
walking together
walking without stopping
walking together
at a soft
gentle
rhythmic
pace
soothingly walking
away
forever
gone away
far away
from the fires
of my father
kasha
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