TAKE NOTHING

When someone laughed, and said, ‘Go take a look,’
I chose to ask no questions – thought it seemed
like fun to do. I left my backpack, took
a torch, and crawled on in. My torchlight gleamed
on limestone walls; an eerie, empty cave.
The drawings – red on cream – were clear and bright;
three animals, the totems drawn by brave
artistic men. I think their spirits might
have lingered there... I felt a chill, as though
a watcher disapproved. I later learned
that women were forbidden, could not go
there – should not see that wall. My stomach churned.

How lightly we defiled that sacred place,
disturbed the Dreaming of an ancient race.

Related Discussion