#16 The Olmecs knew a thing or two.... by Emma McKervey

The Olmecs knew a thing or two....

The pyrite does not last, eventually it flakes away

leaving dull and smudgy discolouration on the backing plates

to confuse archaeologists, confounding their efforts to construct

coherent narratives with which to satisfy the linear ear of the listener.

But the slight of hand is what counted with these mirrors,

which were improved with hematite in highly polished concave lens’,

to billow smoke about the feet of the gods.

Sunlight was captured and put to work by human hand,

projecting each sacred image so it hung suspended

above the finely wrought surface as the hand’s grasp

passed through without impediment, without possession.

They wore these beaming hollows on their breast,

streaming light from their protected hearts,

holding close the perfect image of all they surveyed.