I liked this poem by poet, musician and novelist Ishmael Reed. A cool and wild mix of jazz Egyptian mythology, the Old West, boxing and religion. A forlorn yet thrilling trip through identity.
I am a Cowboy in the Boat of Ra
The devil must be forced to reveal any such physical evil (potions, charms, fetishes, etc.) still outside the body and these must be burned.' (Rituale Romanum, published 1947, endorsed by the coat-of-arms and introductory letter from Francis cardinal Spellman)
I am a cowboy in the boat of Ra, sidewinders in the saloons of fools bit my forehead like O the untrustworthiness of Egyptologists who do not know their trips. Who was that dog-faced man? they asked, the day I rode from town.
School marms with halitosis cannot see the Nefertiti fake chipped on the run by slick germans, the hawk behind Sonny Rollins' head or the ritual beard of his axe; a longhorn winding its bells thru the Field of Reeds.
I am a cowboy in the boat of Ra. I bedded down with Isis, Lady of the Boogaloo, dove deep down in her horny, stuck up her Wells-Far-ago in daring midday getaway. 'Start grabbing the blue,' I said from top of my double crown.
I am a cowboy in the boat of Ra. Ezzard Charles of the Chisholm Trail. Took up the bass but they blew off my thumb. Alchemist in ringmanship but a sucker for the right cross.
I am a cowboy in the boat of Ra. Vamoosed from the temple i bide my time. The price on the wanted poster was a-going down, outlaw alias copped my stance and moody greenhorns were making me dance; while my mouth's shooting iron got its chambers jammed.
I am a cowboy in the boat of Ra. Boning-up in the ol' West i bide my time. You should see me pick off these tin cans whippersnappers. I write the motown long plays for the comeback of Osiris. Make them up when stars stare at sleeping steer out here near the campfire. Women arrive on the backs of goats and throw themselves on my Bowie.
I am a cowboy in the boat of Ra. Lord of the lash, the Loup Garou Kid. Half breed son of Pisces and Aquarius. I hold the souls of men in my pot. I do the dirty boogie with scorpions. I make the bulls keep still and was the first swinger to grape the taste.
I am a cowboy in his boat. Pope Joan of the Ptah Ra. C/mere a minute willya doll? Be a good girl and bring me my Buffalo horn of black powder bring me my headdress of black feathers bring me my bones of Ju-Ju snake go get my eyelids of red paint. Hand me my shadow
I'm going into town after Set
I am a cowboy in the boat of Ra
look out Set here I come Set to get Set to sunset Set to unseat Set to Set down Set
usurper of the Royal couch imposter RAdio of Moses' bush party pooper O hater of dance vampire outlaw of the milky way
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