Making a Cross
Of 385 varieties, to make the simplest
all you need are two sticks:
one vertical; the other, horizontal.
Call one time; one, space or
life—death, good—evil, male—female.
You choose. Any polarity will do
as long as the cross-piece cuts across
the one upright. Now, it's a human form
with arms outstretched. Rub them together.
A couple of sparks, a few more,
a flash of light, a slow increase in heat,
and radiating around you: uncontainable fire.
Copyright Credit: Francine Sterle, "Making a Cross" from Every Bird is One Bird. Copyright © 2001 by Francine Sterle. Reprinted by permission of Tupelo Press.
Source: Every Bird is One Bird (Tupelo Press, 2001)