columbus ushers the dutchman's wheat field across a pond

march 30th:
1492 - The Spanish monarchy signs a decree that aims at expelling all Jews from Spain unless they convert to Roman Catholicism.
1853 - Birth of Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh.



so, you're either pushed in the fire or piled
in the hold as ballast. leave your homes
or leave your god, your chosen status, your
mythical beginning. the world is flat
but sail to the end of it with decrees and proclamations
punishment and conversion. conquistadarwinian
breakers on the surface of the circle we're just now
inventing with spears, gunpowder and spheres.
the queen is behind you, and the jews will finance it.
there's gold the flavor of cummin on the other side.
see how the parabola extends, the elipse, tho large
meets itself under your nose. sail, my intrepid captain,
don't take bananas, but you'll want to remember
the scent of oranges and fresh water, packed in caskets
of oak, rolled on deck. sweet it is, mingled
with the sweat of the converted.


in the morning, it was centuries later. the captain stretched
and beat the rowers who took us out of harbor. the slap
of the oars on the bay were a benediction for judas. some
vortex took off into a dutchwoman's ear. voice of god
she cried below the swirling clouds . her son's eyes
were missing. there was bag of aggies in the chiffarobe.
give me the blue ones she told the midwife and placed them
into empty sockets. the boy blinked as the visions of merchants
crossed and twisted with smoke from the flesh of all those jews
who burned. they were not saved. but isabelle's hair was.
the boy put it on the canvas, in place of a sky. at the lower corner
of the middle of the scene
were the black frocks of the inquisitors. columbus
blew across the sea, riding his woman holding
the reins of her hair in a wooden circlet
so missed opening night. he had a theory
to prove and eyes of glass to leave behind.