The Old Gods

DANCER

When she was but a child, she began to dance
Any music or song, gave her that chance.
All blessed to see her, knew they were given a gift
Watching her move, your heart and spirit would lift
Twas as if she was Dance itself, given function and form
She could drive out your heartaches, push back a storm
This tiny waif of a girl, if you saw her you could but know
As she got older, that power would do nothing but grow

She grew to a young woman, dancing lighter than air
With a sweet gamin face, and long flowing hair
She never did think of leaving her small town
For people came to see her , from all cities around.

Till came one day a man of evil, a man filled with greed
Who saw her dance and thought. "she's is just what I need'
I can sell tickets, I will call her "Natures own flower"
I will get wealth, and I know , money will give me power
So he walked to the dancer, and took her by the hands
Said , Come little one, You should be seen in all Lands"
To the great city , he took the dancer , that young girl
Made up signs,"See the best dancer of this World"
They came and watched, felt a freedom of sense
AS they were all awed by her magnificence

The cheering rose up, making such a great sound
That Ra's sun chariot slowed in its daily round.
Ra loooked down to see what could give his horses pause
'Saw a small woman, thought surely this can't be the cause
The greedy one came on the stage, commited a great crime
Saying."She dances better than the Gods of any and all time"
When Ra heard this, he became somber and sadden
He knew the old Gods, these words would not gladden

With the mans fateful words ,. upon the stage there appeared
A Blazing shape , away you must look ere your vision be seared
It faded down to a woman, of beauty and inhuman grace
Clothing of gold, daughter of the Nile showing in her fac e
"I heard the words of that greedy hearted,evil little man,
Tho not your fault, You will have to make a stand
I am Hathor, Goddess of Beauty Music and Dance
You need not best me, you will be given the chance
To follow my movements , thoughout my long dance

If you do so, then I give my promise to give duty
To bestow you long life, and never fading beauty"
To the music of spheres, Hathor twirled, danced and leapt
Beside her, the dancer matched her, movement and step.
The dance left the stage, thru the city. place to place
None dreamed mere mortal woman could keep up that pace
As Hathor stopped, Said, You have done your part
You have matched my dance, yours is a pure heart
Hathor raised her arms amd gave the dancer the spell
The dancer's tiredness vanished, she suddenly felt well

AS she started to sit, They heard a sound from the sky
The wings of a great bird, far to huge to possibly fly
Twas Garuda, t he Bird of Hindu Gods, and up on its Back.
One Burning, One Red Robed, one whose face was black
First walked Agni, God of fire, and none hoped to learn
One gesture from him, the very stones of the city would burn
Robed in Red, Yama , God of Death, from him, none can flee
One touch, one glance of his takes the soul and life from thee.
Kali, many armed, black face, To whom all Chaos is sweet
Death and destruction , to her , are like fruit and meat

AS they approached the dancer, she bowed her head.
One look , One gesture of theirs and she would be dead
Kali said "It is good to that the other one left you fresh and alive,
It will make your death sweeter , you cannot hope to survive"
"You cannot outdance me, Mine and the other two Powers
Will bring an end to this city and you in just a few hours
But , come now,tho your effort is doomed you must try
To turn us away, win, and then none in this place will die

The Hindu music began, sounds the dancer never before heard
She stood there frozen in shock saying never a word
Kali began her dance, With her many arms and black of face
that dance she gave before Shiva, In the Destoyers Palace
The little dancer watched and in fear she did cower
To match or beat that dance she had not the power

As Kali danced, the crowd divided, it did split apart
And what looked like a man, came forth from its heart
Blue-skinned and smiling, all his rainment was gleaming
Strength, hope, and love from him seemed to be streaming
I am Kubera, no great power, Just Lord of all hidden treasure
I say unto you, Not even those three can take my full measure

Powers of Death, Chaos,and Fire are no part of my list
But I can grant thee this power, those fears to resist.
She felt an upwelling of spirit, and suddenly she knew
How to answer Kali's dance , what she had to try to do
She moved up by Kali but d id not challenge her Dance
She had but one way, on that she took her chance
The dancer did not compete, did not enter that strife
She began her own dance , one of hope,a Paen to LIFE'

She danced of the Love, Of Parent for Child
Love of Man and Woman, both tender and wild.
She danced of the love that encompasses all
Emboldened and daring to answer each call
She danced of the life, so simple yet deep
Of lovers holding each other while deeply in sleep
She danced of the truth, that all on the earth
Whether poor or King, each has true worth
Kali's dance faltered and stopped, The three lost their will
They knew before them danced something no Power could kill
They went back to Garuda, That great messenger bird
They left her there dancing and said not one word

She ceased her dance, looked round, walks down to the crowd.
Asks, "Where went the God who gave hope and made me so proud?
The people were confused i n whole, said "No God did we see"
Only one old blind begger came anywhere close to thee
Where is he, she asked, and all looked around
no begger was seen nor ever was found