Diane DiPrima

Revolutionary Letters

12.

the vortex of creation is the vortex of destruction

the vortex of artistic creation is the vortex of self destruction

the vortex of political creation is the vortex of flesh destruction

 flesh is in the fire, it curls and terribly warps

 fat is in the fire, it drips and sizzling sings

 bones are in the fire

  they crack tellingly in

  subtle hierglyphs of oracle

 charcoal singed

 the smell of your burning hair

for every revolutionary must at last will his own destruction

rooted as he is in the past he sets out to destroy

-Diane DiPrima, Revolutionary Letters #12