(Russell J Turner)
Earth-diver creation myths are found throughout the Pacific Rim and beyond. This piece is a mash-up of various tales of the Ainu people
The ocean lies upon a giant trout
whose movements cause the earthquakes and the tides
A film of oil covers it about
and rises up in fire to form the skies
Five-coloured clouds are spinning on the mist
as gods and demons roil in the dark
The sun and moon emerging in a kiss
that clarifies the heavens with a spark
Then wagtail dives, from out of history,
to find the flotsam scattered on the deep
to make the islands out of sticks and mud
Then wagtail thrives, in all its mystery,
to wake creation from a dreamless sleep
to build a floating world for flesh and blood
RJT
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