Cheryl Gilbert

Hymn to Themis

Themis is aware
(her name means nothing)
Henry is aware
(what his name means)
Lyric doesn’t know
(but suspects that he does)

Oh Themis,
(wisest of birds)
Purple Themis,
(who knowsknowsknows)
Blind chalk-eyed Themis,
(what her name means)
Caged caught Themis,
(her name means nothing)
Golden-beaked Themis,
(her name means nothing)
Irisless Themis,
(Listen to her sing.)

she says:
Listen
the caged bird
sings of bananas.
These bananas
are nothing but bananas.

This she knows because the Lord told her.
As he tells her every day.
But a Lord far different
than she thinks you suppose.