eden

eden

By Jana Kleinschmidt

I.

KNOWING YOU IS AN EXERCISE

IN SELF RESTRAINT

AND EVERY DAY I’M ON THE BRINK

OF SINNING.

I LIVE INSIDE A ROSE BUSH

THE THORNS READY TO

PIN ME UP

LIKE A MOTH UP ON THE DISPLAY

I’M SORRY THAT I FAILED.

II.

I left the garden ages ago

Wandering about in snake skin

Silenced since the end.

If humans are doomed to live

In shame, then god I must be

Something bigger, something more-

For to feel it all; to give and take

And take some more

No skin is shed. I am the serpent

In the garden and I am

The damned rotting apple

And I am the seed. Feed me

And I will grow

Forever.