Karla Linn Merrifield

Psalm of the Ancient Caribbean Goddess, Capra aegagrus hircus

An old white nanny goat is my shepherd, I shall not want for safety. She maketh me to lie down in magma dreams; she leadeth me beside steaming fumaroles; she restoreth my flesh with milk; she leadeth me in the paths of righteous lava for beauty’s sake. Yea, though I walk through volcanic valleys, I shall fear no tremor, for thou, ma vieille cabrite, art with me. Thy bleat and thy teats do comfort me. Thou preparest a vista before me in the presence of misty harbors. Surely l’arcs de soleil double shall follow me for all the green islands of my life and I shall dwell in Les Pitons of St. Lucia forever.

Cast-iron cauldron
of stew beckons passersby.
Non. Merci. Pas moi.