as soon as the idea
of drowning had passed
we sought higher ground
and said prayers to the grass
and all the precious stones
they began to hide
as the flowerbells swayed
in the approaching night

after the flood
black palls and organs
lightning and thunder
rise and roll

in the dirty main street
they set up the stalls
boats hauled to the sea
past the water-stained walls
a slaughterhouse circus
as pale as your soul
as beavers built damns
and blood and milk flowed

after the flood
black palls and organs
lightning and thunder
rise and roll

soldiers drank coffee
with brandy in bars
children in mourning
looking up for the stars
in the village square
a boy waved his arms
like a wild weather vane
on a wind-whipped barn

after the flood
black palls and organs
lightning and thunder
rise and roll

a bartender played piano
old women went to church
as the moon heard jackals
howling down in the dirt
and out in the orchard
the violent budding trees
signaled it was spring
and brought me to my knees

after the flood
black palls and organs
lightning and thunder
rise and roll

the beauty was unbearable
the queen in her fancy robes
the witch lights a fire in her pot
but won't tell what she knows