Cybele
by Phillupus
Separation and reunion endlessly,
this is the tale of your tragedy.
When Zeus went to Magna Mater
desiring to unite with her
instead she became monstrous
with what he left upon her rock.
When Agdistis, terror of two sexes
ravaged the Phrygian landscape
it was Dionysos with wine and withes
that calmed and castrated the androgyne.
When testes became trees of pomegranate
and Nana daughter of Sangarios
with fruit fertilized herself,
your lovely boy was born, Attis.
Cybele came to unite with Attis,
but Midas' daughter Ia was to wed
instead.
Speak not of the horrors
which happened after this, cries
raised over and over down the ages
for the mutilated boy,
and the maiden made Amazon
(Forgotten in the Phrygian forest.)
Beneath the pine tree's needled boughs,
Attis, driven mad by a(u)nti(e)-Agdistis
returned to her what she had given him:
his very life, from seed to fruit,
fruit to tree, tree to testicles,
separated by Dionysos, given by Zeus.
At last, agonizing in almond-bitter tears
the Great Mother had back to herself
what was always hers, and Attis
forever frozen in death-like sleep--
an example to all in violet hues
that what was ever-moving,
from thundering heavens to earth's mountains
can never be held too tightly...
Rightly am I called
by Rebecca Buchanan
She came over the mountains
over the hills
over the plains
through forests and valleys
Her long hair dragging behind
entangling trees
rocks
lions
wolves
Banging her drums
Shaking her bracelets
her anklets
King of the Gods, he calls himself
claiming throne and sky
-- he even tried to steal my drums,
hurling thunder
But Mother of All the Gods am I
My daughters and sons are sky
and sea and
earth and underearth
Spirits of flame
and salt water and
wood and cave
Rightly I am called
Great Queen
Good Goddess
Mother of Mountains
As I dance and
sing and
drum
Across the world
(after an anonymous inscription found at Epidauros)
Lions of Kybele-Rhea
by Melia
Attendants and guards
Create a din to protect
Her child in his cradle.
The father has his revenge.
The son lightens their burden
Lords of all beasts.
Freshly wed lovers
Become one in her shrine
Knocking statues askew.
Angry, the Mother punishes.
Form reflecting nature
Then yoked to her chariot
Foster-son goes hunting
At such a tender age
Dragging back a roaring gift
For his adored mountain mom
Who laughed and lauded
Such manly feats of caring
Priest-lover rides
In the lion-yoked chariot
Delivers a message to him
"a herd of Indian lions
As a victory token"
Requests the foster-mother
Mother of the Gods
Avenging Lady
Mountain Mother
Breeder of Beasts
Taming the wild
Wilding the tame
Prayer to the
Mother of the Gods
by Rebecca Buchanan
Mother of the Gods
Mother of Mountains
Mother of Ecstasy
Mother of Many Names
My heart yearns to offer you devotion
Show me the path of a radiant life
Cleanse my soul in your mysteries
(after Proclus)
To Her
by Lupercus
On the island where Zeus was buried
I see a woman
Standing on a mountain
Flanked by lions
And goats
In each hand
A double ax
And on her back
Is a quiver of arrows
I see her disrobe
She dives into the sea
Like a meteorite
I see a naked woman
Tangled in fishing nets
Dolphins leap
In the distance
I see a willow tree
As tall as the clouds
And in her branches
She holds the moon
Like a bright fruit
Her roots drink from
Subterranean streams
That flow out to the sea
I enter the house
I walk to the hearth
I stare into the flames
I see twin serpents dance
I see youths jumping bulls
A dove coos
I turn to look
I see a woman
Poppy pods
Crown her
I see a child
Beside her
It is a boy
He holds
A flower
It is a lily
We are in
A cave now
The lily lies
On a pile
Of stones
It is a grave
I see nothing
It is dark
I can only
Hear the sea
I can only
Smell the sea
Above me
Song for
Kybele
by Amanda Sioux Blake
On this, Kybele's holy day
Worshipers gather in the dark
The drums pound out a deepening sound
Firelight flickers, casting an eerie glow
The priestess dances
Whirling around
Feet never touching the ground
Her long hair swirls around her face
A halo, a crown, a black fog
She spins and spins, in her own world
Delirious and ecstatic
Drunk on Divinity
The people chant, the people pray
They cry out to Kybele, the Mountain Mother
Rhea of the Phrygians
Chanting Her ancient names
The priestess continues to dance
Her skirts flying
Her body perpetually in motion
She embodies the wildness of her Mother's realm
The grace of the lioness
And killer instinct
Reflected in hard muscle.
Rhea-Kybele, Mother of the Gods,
Mistress of the Wild,
Looks on,
And the approves.
The drums pound.
And the priestess dances.
