In one second
all your effort will pay off
and there will be a great flood
and commiseration among the peoples
as they realize they were incorrect
and you, not the exalted ones
they were given to believe,
were correct.

In the split moment before that happens
you will rub your hands together
as if they were twigs, as if they were tinder,
as if they could fall into flame and be consumed.

In the two or three seconds after,
you will get up and find yourself
in the clutter of a refrigerator shelf,
between the mayonnaise and the milk,

and rummage through the rest
for a few seconds more
and become annoyed that there is
so little to eat that’s any good in there.

And then, wonder of wonders upon
stars and invoking of gods beyond
the one you know, you will turn
and shed a minor, sour face
upon the kitchen, the rug,
the old wooden floor, and
swear you will change it all
for a sorcerer’s dry cave
next time, next time
the rent is due.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
onward,
T