The World Crescendo

where were you the night of the flood?
thoughts fell urgently with the effortlessness
of a ripple. Rain
sweat from clouds

Noah laughed like a sailor with his hand on his heart
the animals lept in circles.

apples fell from Eden,
split to feed the hungry and
the weak were left laughing

David changed his mind so Goliath built a dam instead
a dam that stirred the trees
changed the river's course
a dam that let men cry
carried calm to heavy laden maidens;

Magdalene sighed
and sang the Romans
to sleep
to sleep
to sleep
   

 e. chayes