Before

When the great chasm had not yet given way

Light pooled freely onto the floor

Flowers sprung into sight

Nymphs bounced and splashed

Unaware of a flaming mother’s coming blight

Flower crowns covered hair undone

Lightened by touch of passing sun

Cymbals crashed

Haunted eyes watched, pacing

Wanting, waiting

During

The sky began turning

Delicate fingers tugged soft earth

First death, final rebirth

Hands gripping, hands cross

One seeking love, one mourning first loss

While the everyman dithers

Green turns to withers

As a foot steps across barbed threshold

Death becomes more infinite to behold

Gates rattle, stretch, bend

Seeing foe, seeking friend

After

Sky becomes rafter

But there is no ladder 

Wind wraps cold fingers around tender ankles

No longer in shackles

But as blood red stains the dirt

And seed determines worth

All gather to watch the fall

Bitterness, a constant call