Wednesday, May 31, 2006

#38: May 31, 2006

The worst thing was, we knew when it would hit.
astronomers pegged it down to the hour:
a million metric tons of killing power,
just two weeks distant, and no help for it.

The churches overflowed, but prayers were vain.
Liquor stores gutted, fires bloomed in the streets
while mothers stopped their children's mouths with sweets
and clutched them close--for how could they explain?

Then, in those last few days, the earth grew still.
Those who could stayed inside and made their peace.
Otherwise everything remained the same.
The crickets chirped, the owls hunted until
sunrise snuffed out the stars; and from the East
the destroyer drew nearer, slinging flame.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

A really fine evocation of how it would be if a huge meteor hit. I find a quiet meditation like this far more effective than a blockbuster-style movie. Far more convincing. The selection of details is perfect. What would there be to say, after all?

Hard not for part of me to wish for such cataclysm, to see us all forced to face truth. But of course, I would be too.