ANIMA LOCI

(SOUL OF A PLACE)

 

My soul resides

In the Southern corner

Where the property abuts the swamp

Where my South poppet

Fire

Protects loved ones

From her place in a jar

Under the earth

I go there daily

Wanting to leap the fence

Into the dark and mystical portal

A doorway to adventure

Where all the secrets of life

Wait to be discovered

The place where I can breathe

But it can also be the

Genius Loci

Spirit of a place

Literally

Home to kind spirits of oak trees and flowers

Water and air sprites 

But also of gators and coral snakes

So at this time of life

I will remain on the border

Safely behind the chicken wire fence

And leave the rulers of the swamp

To Sand Hill cranes and possums

And those less domesticated

But savvier than I…

 

© 2025 Clarissa Simmens (ViataMaja)

Image: Borderland Anima Loci post 2