Primordial Sound

Formed into a phalanx
men and women
glistening with beeswax
made powerful
with powdered snakeskin,
send ahead a scream
drawn through
the rusted jaws of fear.

Each throat adds
to the pulsing shield
of sound.

No weapon yet invented
can penetrate that magic.
Thus protected
they advance upon
their armed
and ancient enemies.


I know that sound.
It startles me awake;
reminds me that I too
could die
exulting.