Before the Zar

Note: The Zar is three things at least: a ritual for a kind of ‘exorcism’ but not really…you never get rid of a demon, you placate it/ a Zar is a Spirit (demon) or a collection of Spirits/ and it’s a dance of bonding….


BEFORE THE ZAR


I am ready for the Zar.
Bathed, perfumed, hennaed,
my hands and feet tattooed
with the proper designs,
silver amulets encircle my
arms, throat, ankles.

I have made
the ritual prayers.
I dance to open paths
sweet incense bathes my soul.

This is old country,
possessed with Zars,
Selfish demons that
demand and torment
belabor and befuddle,
Creep up by our side
when we toil by day
sidle into our thoughts
when we pray at night for rest.

Beloved!
The Zar never purges
these troubling Spirits,
but
beguiles, baffles, bothers,
hopefully placates
and ultimately restores
Spirit to Flesh.

I beat out the rhythm
DUM (space) teka-tek
DUM (space) teka-tek
gird my loins with faith
and prepare to do battle.

But hear my cry!
If my demon refuses
to quiet his Hell within,
then throw the stern net
of your reason over me.
Pin me down with your lucidity.
Use your strength and increase it again with pain.
lay down your full weight upon my twisting limbs,
nail me to the Earth with your body and power.
and if I still dance out of control,
twisting under your hips,
stiffen your cock and pin me down hard
and growl into me:
“Woman, be still,
And know I am Man!”

Janekohutbartels
‘teela’
copyrighted, 2008