wise tales seep into your skin

run through veins

hold truths that condemn your shame

they appear when days move forward

time continues on

but only foolish men believe they are free

from the pendulums psalms

dedicated to the brutes who stand idly by

nine days,

and nine nights

for nine generations the curse will be your demise.

you will continue to raise your glasses

throw your heads back and gleam

in normalcy the seasons will beam

like the green that radiates on your walls

bottled the poisons the senses dull

but your worst days will come

and when they do,

the legend of macha will ring true.

for her tale is of how community let her down

how her harm was at the gain of the town

imperfectly human,

unfit to wear a crown

but those in power,

those with a say

chose against a woman’s safety

at the end of the day.

macha,

while expecting twins she was forced into sprint

her husband boasting about the talent of her gifts

preceded over her rejection and her pleads

he said

‘she will beat your best steeds!’

the men chanted and sneered

she looked to the crowd in hurt

in fear

‘please help’ she said,

as

they quipped back with their cheap chalices full of beer

crossing the finish line she fell to her knees

head hanging down she sees the grass

a deep radiant green

racing a horse as entertainment

an indicator of worth

ears ringing body trembling,

she began to give birth

the twins born still

an unwilling sacrifice at her expense

for a male desired thrill

that pain lasting throughout lifetimes

the infliction of one’s autonomy

the muted conviction

macha,

turned to the masses and said

to the brutes who stand idly by

you will be cursed for

nine days,

and nine nights

for nine generations,

this will be your demise.

on your lowest day

in your lowest moment

when you think it cannot possibly get worse

you will think of my myth

you will think of this curse

you will think about where you stood in the stands

when a girl like macha ran

when she looked to you all in agony

before you blocked out the look in her eyes that said

‘why did you condone this happening to me’

you will feel all i felt and more

the intrusion and dismantling

the grief,

the curse of macha will reign in your core.

myths and legends have purpose

existing for generations to teach

exist themes that are true in societies,

stories

gruesome ignorances we fail to reach

but they are there for a reason

being told then and now

as time will move i know what side of

history we will all be found

unfortunately accounts similar to macha will always be around.

some on our knees screaming

and some muting the cries

nine days,

and nine nights

the best of the best cannot out run the pendulum

cannot hide.