Descending down the final slopes along
the mud-slid road toward the city gate,
our Preacher comes upon the damage done
by th'raging rapids from the peak above.
Before his eye the gate is toppled down
and split across its middle, splintering
and waterlogg'd. The towers at its sides
still stand, but chunks of stone have broken off
their walls t'expose th'interior inside.
He steps upon the fallen gate to pass 10
the threshold to the city, where he finds
some many structures crumbled by the tide,
with shops and homes, entire market streets
alike in shambles, tiles from their roofs
to litter streets in shards all broken up;
and timber frames all beaten down and snapp'd;
and cobblestone uprooted from the mud
that cakes foundations crack'd and streets along;
and sopping awning cloths from stands that fell;
and fruits and veg'tables now torn to shreds 20
along with paste from bread all soak'd and mash'd
to add their rotting stench atop the mess.
Our Preacher makes his way through city streets,
rerouting when he comes upon a path
disaster's struck much worse to block his way,
whilst citizens do rifle through and lift
the wreckage into wagons to convey
the broken pieces to a dumping site
in order to rebuild what they have lost
because of him, and whilst he passes by 30
these working crews, there's many turn to him
to glare suspiciously, for all did hear
his voice before the storm, yet wonder how
to link the two together in their minds;
how should they take th'event that hath occurr'd
as one of his designs if all they've seen
him do's transmute and send their elderly
and ailing to reside among the stars?
For none would ever call this miracle
that he's in truth committed unto them 40
by such a name—so glorified and good—
when only ruin seems to be th'result.
He comes upon the central square and finds
by now it's mostly clear'd of its debris
with only bits of rubble here and there
along its edges and its centre point
YOU ARE READING
As Ever Like the Sun & Moon at War
PoetryA troubled Pilgrim sets upon a road in search by sun and storm of paradise; a vain Pariah's banish'd from his home to render justice by the moonlit night: two individuals who share a flesh, each unalike in methods and beliefs, yet fated consequence...