Carolyn Martin
Before the Beginning
Before scratches on cave walls
and raspy voices learned
to moan, groan, grunt, and growl.
Before fires took and gave
and crops settled tribes in place
and prophets shouted to the deaf.
Before black holes, meteors,
and asteroids wearied of themselves
and planet-killing stars got caught.
Before Chaos ordered elements
and the elegance of Time
joined before to beyond.
Before the Infinite loped across
unkempt galaxies imagining
orchid, butterflies, and bird-filled trees.
Before Creation assured deep Voids
that Let there be relieves the dark,
a Voice whispered from somewhere –
an echo of a long-forgotten thought? –
As soon as Life sips Its first breath,
does It suspect It’s conceived to die?