The Word is the domain of Legba. The Word is the ship on which Legba crosses in safe passage the space between the World and the Divine.

The creation of the World is an act of purpose and beauty. In the beginning Legba danced and the stars fell from the heavens. They fell yet a little way for the heavens and the, earth were not by far separate. Legba walked among the stars naming them.

The hot stars he called "virtue." He gathered them together and placed them in a large pot. There they sang their song and danced their frantic dance giving freely of their heat to the airs which blow and encircle the Earth. This is the Cup of the Saints and those who choose to drink gain a vitality of the Soul.

The cold stars he called "righteousness" and strung them upon a necklace. This necklace he gave to his Daughter to wear., And the cold stars shook and glimmered upon her breasts 'calling to all who would taste their pale fires. These fires confer a straightness and eveness of body.

In the beginning was the Word. Legba embraced the Word and lay in its soft fullness to ride as a Chariot, as a Beetle, as a Barque between the lands of the Gods and the lands of those who walk upon this Earth.

Sweet Legba, Son of Brightness, the sound of your cane echoes in the emptiness between. Your feet fast flying part the aether and open the road. Walker on the Crossroad, Caller of the Quarters, Giver of Names, Patron of Beginnings... Bringer/Begetter of the Word.

Louis Martinie
Autumn; at First Snow

Copyright 1983 Louis Martinie