All Saints’ Day
written by: Sugar de Santo
@sugar_de
I.
Heavy rainfall
confused lights flicker
in gold leaf-flooded wet autumn streets
the dead roam, mute and pale tear hats off their heads
and look through windows;
on the next corner stands an old Voodoo Lady with white hair
in her withered hands, a prayer book and a cup
her tongue, a two-edged sword of fire
and in the chalice, she catches the tears of the saints
knowing hidden secrets and she sings holy chants
while the moon erupts in the night sky
in eternity the saints flee to sleep
at the cemetery empty tombs open
and in the Love Hotel, two houses down the hours glow dark red:
a face contorted in moans while bones flap in the cold wind:
as the playing of Congo drums sounds through
the dark the voice of Baron Samedi laughs: Don’t turn around!
At the edge of time, the oracle is proclaimed
and the wind carries it in all directions —
Being without time the magic only lasts one night —
and the old Voodoo lady looks up in the sky
her tongue of fire was extinguished
and the gates of two worlds open as she felt the spirit,
dust fell from her hands as the law was fulfilled,
and she went skyward.
II.
Presence
the dead restless in the sold paradise
and a child blows his toy trumpet
for the Last Judgment:
and the faith of the saints was used up
as the gates of the underworld closed again
seductive looks bare flesh and all too easy pray:
Blessed is he who watches and keeps his garments
while a junky sells his soul for a Dollar
and Noah sits at the Mississippi River beyond time and space
waiting for another resurrection.
- All Saints’ Day - November 1, 2024
- The Eighth Time - February 7, 2023
