Natural Takeover of Small Things

Instructions for the Altar

47 Instructions for the Altar Once I have slipped from my skin into sediment amid salted alluvials gathering east of the Rockies or among the sagging algodón defeated by valley fog in preparing the altar follow these instructions: I have no regrets therefore no water is necessary for dim ablutions, rather, let the dirtiness of smoke recall the unpredictability of my name When I awoke, I did so knowingly I have never been afraid of the dark, yet, when I shut my eyes the invisible becomes apparent There are no heavens where heavens await, no pyramid but in the sternum, only angels and corrupt deities now; Release the sage from its bundle, the scapulary too 48 Release the tooth of a snowflake from its own sudden drift To what water does the arroyo submit? Release the gnarled bough in holy books Release this name and all that it conjures; not the kiss or penetration, not the naïve boy whistling by the ditch-bank somewhere on an obscure hillside, or the father’s tenderness moment after moment; I see you standing against the dull saffron of a Western sun and think of how one enters the world headlong, devoted to the flesh, born majestic, bloodied & writhing, no mind prayers concocted— origin of prayer someplace else origin of plum blossom one beat before the scent origin of suffering various hells occur simultaneously 49 origin of Juan Diego a fruit stand south of Delano origin of Nirvana ass flat burnt from too much now origin of The Kingdom tenderness of the heart origin of Samsara consistently returning origin de Fé si Diosito quiere origin of Ahimsa a teardrop tattoo origin of Allah prostration of kisses origin of Olé Allah caught in the act If after these preparations I still have yet to return then do as we discussed that one slow night over a six pack & bagful of spent pistachio seeds, about how you wouldn’t search for me 50 in lush blue cemeteries, about how you wouldn’t pray for me at magnolia shrines every Day of the Dead, about the emptiness of an altar and the tiny flickering candle above the golden chalice that rests atop your collarbone, instead, make offerings to the blessed calling of impermanent gut —move on. ...