This Eden story, I don’t get it—help
Me out here. It says beneficent god
Planted a really nifty garden, whelped
Adam there, and ribbed him a luscious bod
To help around the grounds—but with a catch.
The deal depended on their ignorance.
Not knowing right from wrong, they’d have no chance
To muck it up; but also have no sex,
Until that talking snake appeared and vexed
The guileless Eve; she then beguiled her man.
Alas! Our sorry history began—
Paradise lost and eons of distress.
So what’s the score? The serpent one—god,nil;
For us, the shriveled fruit—foul, bitter pill.
10/27/05