Antilliaanse Cahiers. Jaargang 1-2

[p. 101]

Sacre de printemps

Fanatic vultures leaped
and burned the magic maiden
burdened het with sacred seed
and the boy was beaten into manhood
the race was set to fire at midnight

The men were in their huts awaiting
warnings of the light at daybreak
the village feasts where fury
met the thunder of the dance
consumed the creatures of God

The belly of the girl had grown with the seed
as she was dressed in frantic ritual
undressed in flagrant need
the body of the boy was burned and pressed
forward with greed by the chanting men

There was a beginning in the sun
which fanned the flames of joyous meat
the painted grimace of the boy
stiffened at the sad pain in her eye
she stroked his burning face

He touched her belly and his life
the sin of man and wife
on earth