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From Among the Goddesses: An Epic Libretto in Seven Dreams
- Wesleyan University Press
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167 FromAmong the Goddesses: An Epic Libretto in Seven Dreams actiii(librettoversion) Scene 1 Demeter’s garden in Ohio: tall ripening tomatoes mixed with many herbs and flowers, near the side of a large barn. Demeter is picking peas and dropping them into a large metal bowl as Kouretes chant repeatedly, to the traditional tune: “Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali—Inanna.” LilyapproachessilentlyandwatchesasDemetersingstoherself. demeter Longgrasspushesupunderthetrees, hyssop,beebalm,lavender,chicory, mallow,johnnyjumpup,loveinamist, coneflower,blackeyedsusan,broccoli, inmycirculargardenthatcurvesfromtheearth... lily [to herself and audience] Herhandsareaswide,cool,andearth- stained asmossyoldrocksthataforesthaspatiently grownuparound,diedaround,fallennear. demeter spineintheplanet,bloodinthewind, asIdropthepeasinthealuminumbowl... spineintheplanet,bloodinthewind... kouretes [under the following conversation] spineintheplanet,bloodinthewind... 168 lily Thearmsoftheplanetareholdingmealive. demeter IknoweverythingoldaboutEve lily Eve,thefaceofDemeterteachesme, demeter rosefromfireaswellasearth: lilyanddemeter [standing to face each other] Evewasthefullgleamoflightonthewater. demeter Evefellbesideme,androseandfell; darkEve,myownloss,myheartbeat,mysister, lily Evespeakstomeoftenwithoutlossordamage inmyheartfromtheplaceofthedead, theplaceoftheopeningsthatIhavefound. lilyanddemeter Evefellbesideme,androseandfell Lily crouches to help Demeter. demeter [murmuring quietly as she works] [18.190.156.80] Project MUSE (2024-04-26 06:34 GMT) 169 hyssop,beebalm,lavender,chicory, mallow,johnnyjumpup,loveinamist, coneflower,blackeyedsusan,broccoli, inmycirculargardenthatcurvesfromtheearth... kouretes Hereisthemotherwho’dwatchedherowndaughter givenaway,andruinedtheearth, whonowputoutleaves,andnurturedtheearth, demeter [murmuring quietly in the background] CavesrunhollowuntilIcanfillthem withsilentenergiesseedingnewquiet... Lily stands up suddenly at the word “crystals” and speaks as Demeter continues murmuring. demeter ...crystalstoform,androotstocomedown intotheirveins;withwaterthatpushes. withstemsreaching,trunksreaching,leavessettingbone. lily [forcefully] I’dbeeninvaded;thebabywasnotmine. WhyshouldIcarryit? kouretes Coneflowersblew fuschiaandsilent,asiftherewaslaughter, 170 lily fromthebreezethatwassuddenlysimpler, asiftherecouldoncemorebejoy.Ithasbeen monthssinceI’dfeltlikemyself,likeLily; monthssincemylifehasmovedforme. demeter [finishing picking and rising, stretching] WhenmydarlingPersephonewasyoung, shecriedeverytimeIpulledweeds.Itwashard toseethat.It’shardtoletgo.Weneedto. She puts her arm around Lily. They go inside the barn together. kouretes silentenergiesseedingnewquiet crystalstoform,androotstocomedown intotheirveins;withwaterthatpushes. withstemsreaching,trunksreaching,leavessetting... Scene 2 A rainy highway, with a small house in the distance. If possible the Serpent Mound, an ancient earthwork in the shape of a long snake, is visible. Kouretes at the side of the stage. Lily steps off a bus, lifts her coat up to cover her head, and begins to walk up the road. kouretes Theotherhearthasbegunitsbeating Theotherhearthasbegunitsbeating intherichcave,thelongsilence [18.190.156.80] Project MUSE (2024-04-26 06:34 GMT) 171 lily [as she walks] Theotherhearthasbegunitsbeating intherichcave,thelongsilence thehopingmorningthatwasmywomb. kouretes Theotherhearthasbegunitsbeating Theotherhearthasbegunitsbeating lily Throughmybellyrunknife- hardimages tomybodyandtomyheart. Thehatethattouchedmeonthemountain isstillthriving,makingasilence kouretes isstillthriving,makingasilence lily deepinmestill,ayieldingmine, wheremyownthoughtscannotfindafoothold butplummet,hopeless,downinmybody, absorbed...