~ erasure poem based on The First Voyage Round the World;
Antonio Pigafetta, 1874
9.
The inhabitants
declared that if God gave them life they would burn
all the idols they could find
wood, concave or hollowed arms
and legs spread out feet turned upwards large face four very large
teeth like a wild boar
in this island they bless the pig
two old women
dance and sound the trumpets saying several
things to the sun The first
directs the lance at the pig's heart
a torch is burning
they get the hair off the pig
Only women are able to consecrate
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