This too is a kind of eden.
There is bewilderment
and temptation,
sin and sine qua non,
there is exponential loss.
From the rib of the first eden,
countless edens were spawned,
deliberate, inadvertent,
the devil running crimson
through their veins.
I too had a god, before.
Before snakes.
Before fruit.
After light.
Until the emptiness
became imperfect.
Until the imperfection
turned into cause.
Until the cause
demanded a rib.
Until the rib
sacrificed a god.
This too is a kind of eden.
After snakes.
After fruit.
After dark.
Until a god
reclaims the emptiness.
Until the emptiness
becomes imperfect.
This too.
For the midweek prompt at Poets United: ‘Garden’
Water to Water, my first poetry collection, is now available on Amazon – US, UK and India
THOUGHT PURGE 
I’m undone! Utter mastery, of images and progression! Wonderful!
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Thanks so much, Frank.
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“bewilderment
and temptation” Lives under my ribs, indeed. I love the spawning of “countless Edens” finding the betrayal and loss and the imperfection that, despite all, leads to authentic lives.
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Thanks so much, Susan.
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Deep, and to the point…”This too is a kind of eden.” I do love your poetry!
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Thanks so much, Khaya.
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My favorite of all your delicious wordplay:
“Until the cause
demanded a rib.
Until the rib
sacrificed a god.
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Thanks so much, Margaret.
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This is such a sad piece for me as so much emphasis is played on the rib which was of course was Eve created from Adam’s rib, then blaming the rib for Christ’s death because Satan was in control! I may be reading it all wrong; If Eve picked the apple Adam failed to see the danger otherwise he would have snatched from her and thrown it away. I think God considered she and hopefully Adam as well were adventurous enough to start the human race off to see if a peaceable kingdom could be created. We are still trying but not doing too well at the moment!
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It is a sad piece the way I wrote it, Robin. More metaphorical that Eden, reminiscent of beginnings and plans that don’t quite work out the way they were intended to. Yes we’re not doing too well as a species, are we!
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I think it’s the contrast that keeps the readers on their toes. These lines really made me pause. I wonder how many corrupt Edens are out there?
From the rib of the first eden,
countless edens were spawned,
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Thank you, Truedessa. Plenty of metaphorical Edens with their self-appointed creators and plans that went bad.
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A depthful observation of life in the eden we inhabit and how we each, either nurture it by faith or by earthly failings..excellent:)
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Thanks so much, Eileen!
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Always the struggle between light and dark. This is powerful.
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Thank you, Linda.
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Super concept, reminds of an infinity loop. Super philosophical, relaxing and wondrous tone and amazing point. Loved this!
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Thanks so much… I love that the cyclical pattern of life resonated as an infinity loop!
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Imperfect emptiness is an image that draws me in and leaves me breathless.
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Thank you, Magic.
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A woman is a garden unto herself and from her springs life and bears fruit. We become our own Eden.
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That’s a deep thought, Lori. Thank you.
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So, so glad that your first poetry collection is out, Rajani. Congratulations! May many more follow, for us the poetry eaters 🙂
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Thank you, Sumana, for your warm words of support. Both paperback and e-book are now available on Amazon India. I’d love to get your feedback!
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I like the play of light and darkness; before the light and after the light scenes. A much complicated eden, this. Brilliant, as always.
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Thanks so much 🙂
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I love the looping, lyrical effect! “the devil running crimson through their veins.”
Such a powerful poem with the impact of both light and shadows!
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Thanks so much, Ella. Just what I was going for.
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Delightful. I like the topsy turvy turn of events here. Magic!
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Thanks Vivian – possibly an examination of what the world around is right now- versus what it was meant to be!
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Wow! I love this. It speaks so eloquently what I have been thinking for years.
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Hey thanks, Susie. Glad it resonated.
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I love the thought of how you find eden again,… though far from perfect, it’s the one that we got.
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So true..thanks, Bjorn. Perhaps, in a way, it’s all cyclical.
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“From the rib of the first eden, countless edens were spawned,” … this is incredibly potent! ❤️
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Thank you, Sanaa.
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Imperfection turning into a cause is a chilling concept, considering imperfection is a fairly natural state. But then again, isn’t that how so many causes start, because of perceived imperfection that some folks simply can’t deal with anymore?
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Yes I agree with that- the imperfection may be perceived or the design itself may have been flawed. Whatever it was- this is now all that’s left of that original garden. Thanks, Rommy.
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This made me think of that series I saw on TV, “American Gods” I think the name was. Afterdark, that’s the part that got my attention. That damn rib….
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Indeed 🙂 Thanks so much Bekkie. It’s the second time someone has brought up that show on one of my poems- I really must watch it!
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I really enjoy the word play – it is witty and also meaningful in relation to your theme.
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Thank you, Kerry.
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