"The slit moon only emphasised how blood must flow and teeth must grip"

SONG FOR A BIRTH OR A DEATH by ©Elizabeth Jennings

Last night I saw the savage world
And heard the blood beat up the stair;
The fox’s bark, the owl’s shrewd pounce,
The crying creatures - all were there,
And men in bed with love and fear

​The slit moon only emphasized
How blood must flow and teeth must grip.
What does the calm light understand,
The light which draws the tide and the ship
And drags the owl upon its prey
And human creatures lip to lip?

Last night I watched how pleasure must
Leap from disaster with its will:
The fox’s fear, the watch-dog’s lust
Know that all matings mean a kill:
And human creatures kissed in trust
Feel the blood throb to death until

The seed is struck, the pleasure’s done,
The birds are thronging in the air;
The moon gives way to widespread sun.
Yes but the pain still crouches where
The young fox and the child are trapped
And cries of love and cries of fear

Detail: Love Play, 2016.

THE MOUTH OF THE BEAST
Opening reception 2-4pm Saturday 4th of June 2016
Level 2, 39 Little Collins Street, Melbourne
Exhibition runs 2nd - 15th of June 2016
Open daily 11am until 6pm
Sculpture and charcoal works on paper by
​JOELLE MAYBERRY & TIFFANY TITSHALL

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