They have mouths, but cannot speak.

 

So wrote a dyspeptic 7th century Hebrew poet concerning the so-called “idols” of the pagans.

But of course (as anyone who has ever actually lived with one for very long can tell you), he was wrong.

***

The little clay goddess sits elegantly on her throne on the coffee table in the living room.

A few days ago, I acquired a reproduction of a little bronze votive bull. Not having had in mind a specific location for him, I set him down for the time being next to the lady of the coffee table.

Yesterday, I thought I'd try him out someplace else, and moved him up to my bedside table.

This morning, the living room goddess spoke to me, clear as spring water:

Where's my bull?

 ***

Pagan lore is filled with stories of statues that speak.

And when they do, I mean, really: what else can you do?

I moved the bull back, of course.

After all, when statues speak, pagans listen.