2 Poems

Of Apples, God, and Gravity

“Why,” my grandson asks, “didn’t
God make Adam and Eve at the same
Time?” This, I sensed, is theology
on a Newtonian scale. Was Eve an
after-thought? Was she in His
thoughts at all? My God, I thought,
his world will never be the same.
On such ruminations, kingdoms
succeed or fail. Are such questions
moot? Heresy buzzed about my brain
like flies on some half-eaten fruit.

Purgatory

A catalog arrived the other day
Which was addressed to me or,
“Present Occupant.” I wondered,
Had someone, who lost his way,
Been sent to tell me so that
Now, instead of being where I’m
Meant, or on my way, or having
Been long arrived and settled,
I’m still here? Now, I fear,
I’ve had a taste of Purgatory,
Which is where I am, I guess,
Not having moved, nor having
Left a forwarding address.