New Moon – a poem by Tani Arness

New Moon
	Isaiah 1


Women, soothe yourself with incense and oils.
Do not make burnt offerings;
there is no pleasure in the blood of bulls and rams and goats.
Do not put your trust
in man who has but a breath in his nostrils.
You are tinder and your work a spark.
Your heart, a tongue of fire,
will lick up the straw.

Go into the rocks and bow down.
You do not need a land filled with silver 
and gold, horses and chariots . . . .
Rejoice in the new moon festivals; dance.
Delight in your gardens of sacred river valleys;
clasp hands with pagans and praise 
the cedars of Lebanon and the oaks of Bashan.

Tani Arness lives in beautiful Albuquerque, NM. She’s been inspired by hours spent stargazing in Northern NM. Tani’s work can be found in Tzimtzum: 5 contemporary poets lend us their hearts, and numerous literary magazines including North American Review, Malpais Review, and Crab Orchard Review. See also: http://www.tani-arness.com.