Monday, April 13, 2020

THINKING ABOUT PAZUZU

The god of this day
Is Pazuzu
A god of wind and drought 
And locusts. He is
The once and future
King of Demons. 
He protects men, 
Especially children,
Against evils 
Worse than him.

Though he has large strong wings, Pazuzu 
Seldom flies. Though man-shaped, his head
Is that of a dog. By great effort he
Has taught himself to see colors;
He is not sure he sees them correctly.
Thanks to a long-forgotten contract
Assyrian demons have free will. Created 
To rend and tear, his talons can also,
Though awkwardly, hold a stylus. 
It is sometimes strangely comforting 
To invoke his help in French:
Aidez-moi, Pazuzu!

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