The Implements Of Sorcery
I begin in Mount Lawn Cemetery
Section C, Lot 26, Grave 3
and sing “After You’ve Gone”
as a ritual passage rite.
Several long days later,
I am standing at midnight
at the intersection
of Route 61 and 49
paying homage to the fire sprite.
In Memphis, I fill my red mojo bag
with High John the Conqueror root,
a cinnamon stick, a 1937 copper penny
and allspice berries.
Later in the day.
I visit Mr. Handy’s home.
Finally, departing the Mississippi
and walking to Basin Street,
I place roses by Marie Laveau’s tomb
and whisper a short hoodoo chant.|
That evening I buy a small silver
gris gris amulet
from a back alley juju woman.
The journey is complete
and in the early morning,
I am coming for you.
R. Gerry Fabian is a published poet and novelist. He has published five books of poetry: Parallels, Coming Out Of The Atlantic, Electronic Forecasts, Wildflower Women as well as his poetry baseball book, Ball On The Mound. In addition, he has published five novels : Getting Lucky (The Story), Memphis Masquerade, Seventh Sense, Ghost Girl and Just Out Of Reach. Seventh Sense takes place in Nashville.
