Unicorns, Rainbows: Warrants, Caveats
[The land had grown wide], the people had increased,
The [land] was bellowing [like a bull].
The gods were disturbed with [their uproar].
The Epic of Atrahasis
Because the horse’s strength deserves the hind’s
elusiveness, the billy’s Pan-endowed
libido, its wildness. Because so proud
a beast should boast one horn that breaches, binds.
Because clemency’s divine, God deigns
the unrelenting people be chastised
but not effaced entirely. Surprised,
survivors find a bow ends drowning rains.
Because we learn our forthright purity,
like forge-spun glass, shivers once crossed by slight
deceit. Virtue’s not security.
Because we sense the austere gods resent
our fertile busyness, our delight
in making noise. Because we can’t repent.
________________
Manny Blacksher