The Durga Poem

Durga, the Hindu Warrior Goddess, lives in a state of blissful union with the universe and is 'one with all' - However, when she needs to become a Warrior, she has no qualms about going to battle. This makes her a legend that modern women can draw inspiration from. Its not often that one deity embodies the duality of warrior and lover - even though, in this world we live in today, sometimes both are necesary. While love should always be the default, and leading light - sometimes you must go to war for what you hold dear. The below film was conceptualised and directed by Lisa Von Tang, and shot between a studio and her living room, with a group of friends namely, Singaporean poet Deborah Emmanuel, LA-based healer and performing artist Ariel White, Colorado-based performing artist, Leif Newburg, and also starred Lisa herself. The film was then screened as part of The Durga Show by Lisa Von Tang: a series of 11 shows at the Singapore-based private member's club, Straits Clan. SHORT FILM: "NO MORE" Poem by Lisa Von Tang: I AM DURGA I am pure as a child's smile Giggling deliriously in my own paradise Floating by on a lily pad One with all. I am the life source you feel Pumping through your veins The stirring of life in a womb The explosion of stars into Microscopic particles dancing Like schools of unruly sparkling fish Through every cell Through every tree and wall And skyscraper and mountain top. Dive into the source of your laughter And I am there, glowing white light Laugh until you are still, Until our flames touch and combine. Feel me... It is so beautiful And yet there are those who forget Who numb themselves with learned pouts Over-civilised, over-capitalised Post-joy, Post-love, Post-purity, Post-life, and yet they wander around Dolefully renting out their corpses For another night For what? Raise your hand against creation And you raise your hand against The fiercest protector the world ever saw I relish holding your gaze with the Damning assurance that I'm more powerful than you are. Your addiction to control is baseless While my conviction to stand in your way is Grounded deep in the bottom of the ocean I stand before you with two feet Warmed by the core of the Earth. And yet you will try your luck to pass me As that is your nature You've forgotten how to live And know only how to conquer You gallop towards a sure death One linear pathway committed to having more More of what? At the cost of what? You fly past paradises on either side In a tunnel-visioned fury toward my throat My tongue descends like the entrance to a spaceship And you charge up the ramp A tiny madman, with sword overhead. I chew you slowly And then spit you out Depositing pieces along the way Back to my blissful abode Water illuminated by honeyed 5 o' clock sun I bask in ecstasy on my shimmering pond While dead atoms recycle themselves Into sweeter compositions.