Your Soul in Five Parts
Your Soul in Five Parts
Heart —           So many hearts are thrown into a lake of fire:
             yours light as a feather of Egyptian blue, your
             Negative Confession long, compelling;
             your spirit still skipping
             between good deeds
Name —           I say your name aloud at the end of the garden
             to remember its sound. Repeat it in a whisper
             like a secret. A gift that rises from dull green
 switchgrass to ears of deep orange cloud
The word written in hieroglyph wisps
Twin —            A black and white bird with your face. On its
way to different places at once: the creek on
 the island’s inside beach, the triad of gums
 you planted, the lawn of your childhood
              home. Soaring through every sunrise
Persona —       I watch the birds for facial expressions. To the
one that swoops: you don’t need to remind us
to remember you. I often feel warm wings
around our house
when the stars come out
Shadow —      Your mouth fell open and your essence flew
to join the others. I find myself asking if I
please you. Seeking approval from shadows.
Asking If the colours I’ve used will ever be
strong enough
NOTE:Â The ancient Egyptians believed the human soul consisted of separate parts, each with its own role to play in the afterlife.