[Two.]
i do not believe in chance
and i do not believe in fate.
the rising black against the sky
the footsteps of
ghosts of fear of the punishment of sins of the flesh of the living.
it often begins with famine.
the flowers shrivel and
the sick earth sickens
what walks on it.
then like
plagues,
like locusts.
it floods inward.
i am red, and i am
often warm, and often cold,
and i am with you always.
within you, i flow through a canal.
i have to come from somewhere.
outside of you, i flow through a canal.
i have to come from somewhere.