Eve and the Tree

Purposeless in that she was made specifically
for the man, a minor undertone
to harmonize and to guide;
to serve as one contingent and subtle -
a courier from branch to palm, as man
cannot distinguish cheek from speech

(but subtle speaks)

Dependency is a two-way street
from predator to prey, her lips clasped to saccharine -
it left a double-sided aftertaste,
scorched and tortured tongue scoured with acid -
slavish obedience in sevensevenseven increments of
the devil’s whispers that she swallowed with the Nile

(in hopes it might spread to her fingertips)

How could her swollen jaws have cried
for anything more than a cold drink
to soothe the loud burning fire she elicits
with three prying fingers, nails scratching
the other sides of itching teeth
against the natural tendencies of survival

(she survives in hell)

Drawing forth candle wicks that lick her throat,
numb the tongue as if to guard against
tasting sensations fully undeserved
in the epitome of vain image
the days to follow,
she cannot speak

(she longs to sleep)

Not knowing the other sides of things
sweet secrets to keep
nice reasons to keep these
secrets not needed
held between Lucifer’s teeth
suppose we are all beasts

(of our own fleet)

Not ever to eat of that tree
not ever should Eve eat
could have impeded sins now heeded
unguarded greeting with the king
serpent’s tongue that found its peak
Eve shan’t eat

(tasting temptations that prey upon her immunity)

Surely she would never scald herself
reaching for the bottom of the lake of fire
craving warmth to hold to her skin
paint her pared gray nails with sulfur and flame
no, Eve shan’t eat today
or he will feast

(among generations now grieving)

She regretted one moment
for one moment unable smother voices he employed
louder voices cannot kill them
cannot vanquish screams trapped
beneath the flesh as
he reigns dining

(never satisfied)

Until the last touch of dusk
flees the sky, frightened from
whatever light is made of
she couldn’t tell morning from
night if her
life depended on it.