Creation Myth
(Against Arthur James Balfour)
European God looks upon his dominion
dissatisfied. Commands his closest fallen angel
go collect dirt, blood, tears, metal, ash.
From these materials
anti-revelations are created
placed atop consecrated land.
European God gathers his subjects
orders them to bow, covet, open up, fold over
for the new creation, and all do so
except the Rebel.
European God demands explanation
The Rebel retorts
the cancer before me
was made with deception
I was made with hope.
European God screams
Get out of here
I will curse your existence throughout my world.
Rebel says
No problem. If this is your paradise
may the bones of my people be horns
poking you from the front and the back
the left and the right, you won’t see me coming.
I will whisper in the hearts of your people
convince them to march for my life even when I am dead;
my enemies will slit the ears of leaders to do their bidding
but I bring hearing to the deaf and vision to the blind.
European God says
I will erase you from existence!
the Rebel says
you will see me in your heart
mind, mirror
bed, fingers
tongues, shadows
so give me the gift of a better world
European God orders his new creation
Step on this philistine
crushes his lungs
gouge his eyes
rip off his tongue.
European God subjects gather round
drink from the carcass, except a few
who remember the words of the Rebel
decide to use the skin and bones as a war drum.
