Stepping Up To The Plate, Part 18

[hooks_and_books]

Go here to see what I'm doing and why. All readers are invited, encouraged, and begged to respond. The purpose of this experiment is to engage in discussion.

"The Devourer" by Sonya Taaffe

When Taaffe is on, she's really, really on. This poem explores various mythic consumers, from the more contemporary wolf of Red Riding Hood fame to the Biblical

Comments

[sovay]

Certainly one to have considered for a finalist this year.

I'm honored!

[hooks_and_books]

Okay, I have to ask, because my knowledge of ancient myths isn't what it should be. Were the lines "the god burns, fire-bellied/heresy in its mouth roasting/to ash. The jaws of darkness/close on the sun, flood the seas/of the moon with copper smoke" referring to a specific myth, and if so, which one?

[sovay]

referring to a specific myth, and if so, which one?

The first is a reference to the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the Book of Daniel, kind of fused with Biblical references to Moloch; the second is folklore surrounding eclipses of the sun and moon, that a dragon swallows and must be made to disgorge them: mostly the snake Rahu in Hindu myth and the Philippine Bakunawa.

[hooks_and_books]

Right, right...I should have seen the Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego reference. Missed Moloch, but nice fusion.

Will have to check up on Hindu myths.

Thanks for clarifying this. Nothing Egyptian then, huh? Sorry I misrepresented you in my critique.