John Carder Bush (born 1944) Poet , Photographer , elder brother of Kate Bush

The Creation Edda (1970)

• Embla lies with each thing,
  Ask looks and knows.
  Understanding
  without explanation
  they depart and separate.

• On the ice flow they grip,
  cut, twist, break open seeds
  throwing out the white salt,
  revive volcanic dreams:
  unable to satisfy
  their diminuated lust
  the allegoric flesh
  learns the thrill of return.

Control: A translation (1974)

• When God comes at me
  do I bow the stallion's legs
  or meet him with flared nostrils?

• When Man comes at me
  do I rein in the stallion,
  or let him meet the hooves?

• When Woman comes at me
  do I let her take the bridle,
  or turn away the head?

• When I
  and stallion
  blend
  the grass gets cropped.