White Shell Woman
Boiling wave-like
unfurling across the sand
she births the water
calling to her children
who snorting with squeals
glide to her like sun rays
on raptures of waves
she is framed
holy and fearful
white caps rolling like hills
support her slender feet
shells flying from her hands
land like arrows in a target
releasing the swelling music
floating now
she gentles like a feather
sleeping in a bower
rocked by prism light.
Navajos named the water goddess
WHITE SHELL WOMAN
Chiesa Irwin ©2003 Chiesa Irwin