Author Information
Caliban
"One is the race of gods and men;
from one mother we both draw our breath"
—Pindar
I am a spirit of the earth, born here
of parents born here at the dawn of time.
I am one of ancient lineage, dweller
of dense forests when the sky was new,
Earth a lush paradise of unspoil'd streams;
I commune with spirits of earth, water,
wind, and fire, sprites, and fairy folk divine.
I know where the red crab grows, what the jay's
song means, hold close friendship with the nimble
marmoset.
I myself have sprung like fern upon the fertile soil,
and bathe in fresh springs and foamy seas, where
pearls like magic eyes dream inside tight oyster
shells.
I was happy before the Old Man came
and lured me with his bag of tricks, taught me
how to call the rising sun, and woo the
silver moon with soft-down'd words.
I became the Old Man's slave, lost my kingdom
and myself to wanton wistful dreams—
I could teach him secrets stirring deep within
his heart, for I am too a part of him,
deny me though he may.
I dwell deep within his dreams, stir his soul
when he's not ware. In bondage he would hold
me, yet no more bondsman than he is—I serve
not him but me since time was born and Man,
expell'd from Paradise, was doom'd to roam
the world, forever lost, forever yearning
to be free—his soul sever'd from his flesh
and blood.
Now, no matter what he’ll do or say,
I’m part of him, I cannot leave, I’ll stay
with him until the sun doth waste away,
and both of us return to clay.
