Alice
O. Howell
CELEBRATION
Like the first day of creation
when you lie down by me
sun and earth may float away
beyond the apple tree
stars do shine above us
as when God first spoke
trembling in the shafting
of your every stroke
apples all around us
grown from seed of Eve
good and evil knowing
more than we conceive
serpent curled beside us
smiling in her sleep
at cries so like the flowers
that the meadows keep
like the first day of creation
a flushed and rosy tree
and fruits may fall on Eden
when you lie down by me.
a.o. howell