18
Before the Fall
To have known you before
the capillaries burst
and the veins strained
beneath our skins.
Before the lights
of cities burned
out, atomic, before our eyes.
Before pupils grew
and widened
to accommodate every
misplaced thing.
Before the lining
of our coats tore
and our fingers
sifted what sieved away
too late.
Before the needles
pierced the marrow.
Before the prepositions
took over.
Before the hearts
clapped shut like
chimney flues.
Before our feet wore
grooves in silence.
Before the bones
shattered in their sockets.
Before pencil lead
snapped and cindered.
Before our checkbooks
balanced zero.
Before the skies
swept the calender clean.