New World

Then after Eden,

was there one surprise?

O yes, the awe of Adam

at the first bead of sweat.

Thenceforth, all flesh

had to be sown with salt,

to feel the edge of seasons,

fear and harvest

joy that was difficult,

but was, at least, his own.

The snake? It would not trust

on its forked tree.

The snake admired Labour,

it would not leave him alone.

And both would watch the leaves

silver the alder,

oaks yellowing October,

everything turning money.

So when Adam was exiled

to our new Eden, in the ark’s gut,

the coined snake coiled there for good

fellowship also; that was willed.

Adam had an idea.

He and the snake would share

the loss of Eden for a profit.

So both made the New World. And it looked good.