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 When We Used To Be  

When we used to be 

half human–half fish 

half hunter–half horse 

half oak–half nymph    half eagle–half lion  

half owl–half rock   half woman–half man 

we were strong then

maybe we still are 

alive… ? 

 

We knew the heavens and earth inside out 

the water and soil upside down 

we knew how to swallow metal and fire  

dance with danger and humility 

curious to the bone we treated  

life as revered teacher but now 

we are brittle old and stiff  

what now… ? 

 

In childhood we spoke to god one on one 

without thinking we drank the milk of goats 

when thirsty   slept curled up in the sickle moon 

then we forgot about the breadcrumbs 

and could not find our way back home 

the path became steep dark winding we lost  

confidence – our unique shape 

we befriended hunger… ? 

  

Alone encircled by dust of night 

swirling all around   blinding us to the sun 

the moon and stars   but not always 

barely in our throat the right word 

song sound note or knowing…  

irresistible still 

god knows 

we are… ? 

  

When we used to be 

Stretching into skin and snake  

Half baby–half crone   who knows… ? 

Is it time to slip away   or shed… ? 

when we used to be   all that we can be 

half half half   all   whole alive still 

transforming 

 

 

Karina Epperlein, May 21 – June 4, 2023 


Comments

  1. ayshaJune 5, 2023 at 10:38 PM

    I need this poem - not just what it speaks about, but the specific words and the poet and the specific artists and works of art that all around the world continue the tradition of being human. Without seeing curiosity/courage practiced around me, especially by my elders, I begin to forget that I too have this capacity... I begin to forget how sensitive I can be, how deeply I might live, that I might be half human-half swaying grass :)

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  2. nicole gervacioJune 7, 2023 at 12:15 PM

    this poem is so expansive and inviting to my imagination, body, and soul. and so beautiful with the photographs! familiar, yet unfamiliar and otherworldly at the same time. the complexities & simplicities of our home endlessly surprises and inspires awe.

    it all stirs up feelings that reminds me of conversations that came up in past Liberation Spring seasons with other starsteeds/students – including Aysha :) (https://liberationspring.com) – as well as conversations with you as we work in the garden...so many times we discuss how present day conditioning has many of us with limited imaginations and perceptions, has us forgetting our our ancestral wisdoms, in the way they/we understand the world, the mysteries between & beyond, and how beautiful it can be to accept mystery and unknowingness.

    we’ve forgotten our interconnectedness, how interwoven we are as beings on this planet, softened and blurred edges of where you and i and other begin. we need re-enchantment and re-membering in our relationships to ourselves, other humans and other beings, our microbiomes, bodies of water, with lands, entities, spirits, and the planet we call home. very on theme with the lessons of this year of the Water Rabbit!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Alex KJune 9, 2023 at 4:27 PM

    What a beautiful poem. Incantatory. How poignant the words "befriending hunger" brings up sadness and yearning and also invitation to the nourishment all around and within. The questions you ask throughout the poem are so tender, open and inviting.

    ReplyDelete

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