Annunciation

In Madagascar there are moths that sip
tears from sleeping birds. How hushed the wing;
how light the feet; and deft the barbeled tip,
latching the lid! The sleeper feels no sting:

saliva numbs the nerves. A virus goes
from host to host, and when it multiplies
the bird will die. No field researcher knows
its course, which I have glimpsed in Gaia’s eyes.
Goddess, you have drunk too many tears,
and I shall worship you no more. Your drug
ceases to numb my hopes or soothe my fears
that something else exists beyond your bug
and bird-the Lord all beings dimly seek
incarnates in your realm of claw and beak.

Next
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

Against “God Alone”

Ephraim Radner

A few years ago, I had some routine surgery. Something went wrong in recovery. The nurses on the…

The Scandal of Judaism

R. R. Reno

Christianity has been marked by hostility toward Jews. I won’t rehearse the history. I’ll simply propose a…

Trump’s Civilizational Project

R. R. Reno

Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke at the recent Munich Security Conference. Last year, Vice President JD…