CYMBALING IN POOL

Cymbaling in Pool

- Joy Krauthammer

On the full moon day,
I swam                
away from the rising sun               .
moving-                     
   silently with my cymbals
rising
from the floor of the pool.

Underwater
in joy I played
performing

each secret stroke,

raising higher

round

grain sieves, 

tambourines, 

ancient frame drums, 

voice of the goddess!

transformed;
mythic Cybele:
Gaia,
Great Mother goddess

percussionist.

Another round-trip,
between my worlds

reflect above and below;
I swim east
to repeat the
sacred path,
then west
for the rhythmic rite.

Cymbals crashing

awaken Divine joy;

I hear Psalm 150 singing.
((((  ))))

Aligning

consciousness of divinity

with sacred ritual

purification in the waters.

My shadow,
in the water:
the image,
barefoot, 

arms outstretched

my hands hold -- cymbals
I clash them together
rhythmically,      
each stroke, slowly
swooping 

from lower left and right
circling up from my sides,
high over my head.

((((  ))))

Can you hear it?
The musical beat
as both sides meet
in shadowed reflection. 

Around again,
more determined,
each lap in the pool,
each stroke
pushing the whorls, 

whirls, swirls of water.

Cymbals clash.

((((  ))))         

Powerful spiritual woman, 

Miriyahm the Prophetess,
timbrel player
striking cymbals
carried beyond the waters.
Marking the pulse of life.
Freedom! Hope!

Leading women:
dancers and drummers
singing
in Divine ecstasy.

I with waves of vibration,
resonating
in excitement and glee,
praise
The Source of All Blessings.

With my reflection

I'm alone

in the silence 

of my meditation.
          ~

Joy cymbaling self-portrait 

© Joy Krauthammer

Timbrals, Cymbals

water color

© Joy Krauthammer

~ ~ ~ 

Swimming deeper into each form, I began to assimilate the energy of the sacred as mine.

My swimming is a consciousness transforming practice. It is my meditation.

The light of the sun physically and mystically brought to consciousness the aweness of my sacred rite of prayer, my song, which is my rhythmic drumming on frame drum. - Joy Krauthammer

Disclaimer: I recognize goddess as that which was worshipped in ancient times, and even the feminine within myself, but not G*D of my people. - Joy

MYTH

Cybele known as the goddess, 'Great Mother" in Asia Minor, Greece and Italy.

Cybele known in Babylonia and Syria as Astarte or Ishtar.

"Cybele has frequently been depicted holding a frame drum, which she was known to play. It is considered to be one of her most important symbols, and it is believed to represent the moon. A famous picture exists, showing Cybele holding a frame drum in her left hand, painted red, while in her right hand she holds a lotus bowl, from which a liquid is pouring forth.The lotus bowl, also known as the patera, is believed to represent the great cosmic vulva, from which the water of life continuously pours forth. Many different liquids have been used to represent the water of life, including honey, wine, milk and even blood. Ishtar, an aspect of Cybele, has also been depicted pouring the water of life, as it flowed endlessly, from a jug."

http://www.angelfire.com/journal/ofapoet/cybele.html

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