As Ever Like the Sun & Moon at War

8- ❂❂❂ -II

Descending down the final slopes along

the mud-slid road toward the city gate,

our Preacher comes upon the damage done

by th'raging rapids from the peak above.

Before his eye the gate is toppled down

and split across its middle, splintering

and waterlogg'd. The towers at its sides

still stand, but chunks of stone have broken off

their walls t'expose th'interior inside.

He steps upon the fallen gate to pass                10

the threshold to the city, where he finds

some many structures crumbled by the tide,

with shops and homes, entire market streets

alike in shambles, tiles from their roofs

to litter streets in shards all broken up;

and timber frames all beaten down and snapp'd;

and cobblestone uprooted from the mud

that cakes foundations crack'd and streets along;

and sopping awning cloths from stands that fell;

and fruits and veg'tables now torn to shreds                20

along with paste from bread all soak'd and mash'd

to add their rotting stench atop the mess.

Our Preacher makes his way through city streets,

rerouting when he comes upon a path

disaster's struck much worse to block his way,

whilst citizens do rifle through and lift

the wreckage into wagons to convey

the broken pieces to a dumping site

in order to rebuild what they have lost

because of him, and whilst he passes by                30

these working crews, there's many turn to him

to glare suspiciously, for all did hear

his voice before the storm, yet wonder how

to link the two together in their minds;

how should they take th'event that hath occurr'd

as one of his designs if all they've seen

him do's transmute and send their elderly

and ailing to reside among the stars?

For none would ever call this miracle

that he's in truth committed unto them                40

by such a name—so glorified and good—

when only ruin seems to be th'result.

He comes upon the central square and finds

by now it's mostly clear'd of its debris

with only bits of rubble here and there

along its edges and its centre point