Sunset, San Simeon

11

In the beginning

Was only

The Essential Giver of Life

And (S)He was alone.

So (S)He gave life

To the Two-Leggéds,

To the Four-Leggéds,

To the Eight- and Six-Leggéds

And gave to the Two-Leggéds

Choice.

And the Two-Leggéds chose,

"There are too many

Six-Leggéds and Eight-Leggéds,

They annoy us:

We will diminish them."

So they did.

And the Two-Leggéds chose:

"There are too many Four-Leggéds,

There is no room for us:

We will diminish them."

So they did.

So the Two-Leggéds,

Unchecked by the annoyances

Of the Six- and Eight-Leggéds,

Overpopulated the room

Left by the Four-Leggéds.

And the Two-Leggéds chose:

"There are two many

Two-Leggéds,

They pressure us:

We will diminish them."

So they did.

In the end

Was only

The Essential Giver of Life,

And (S)He paused in sorrow

For (S)He was alone.

Boundary Hill

June 18, 1977