From the beginning, then . . .

If the apple, tempting, tempted,
innocence itself, then, odored
of flesh and sin,
decay, death.
In Adam-limbs reigned thus
the pull of darkness,
the blood-soaked frame
felt desire pulse the living heart,
innocence, made flesh, tainted
in Creation's act.
Spirit made form doomed
from henceforth
to pay in blood
and Eden darkened
by the shadow of the Cross.