1 In the Beginning
He reads Genesis dreams the world
a closed eye, a cloud
an unborn asleep in a dark place
light arriving at birth.
*
2 The Creation of Water
He imagines an ethereal thing
a newborn’s cloudy vision
at home smells of food, taste of milk
build sanctuary for the child outside
Earth divided into watery sky above
watery land below.
*
3 The Creation of Earth
He imagines a child asleep storm dancing in.
Outside wires dance between pylons,
black clouds appear like bad thoughts,
lightning flashes thunder snarls.
Inside the baby’s brain sparks
ideas form like nations and God?
He’s the jazz on an iPod
John Coltrane spiritual awakening
A Love Supreme.
*
4 The Creation of Light
He imagines open curtains announcing
day to a child’s room.
At dusk, curtains close and birth
fluorescent stars upon a ceiling
huge as heaven.
*
5 The Creation of Birds and Fish
He pictures the child feathered by birds
kereru fat as fruit in trees
piwakawaka performing the haka
riroriro dancing tangos in the clouds
the garden is alive
a taniwha in the harbour.
*
6 The Creation of Man
He dreams a day ripe as an apple.
The newborn encounters moo-cows
baaas creepers crawlers
wild dogs close relatives
mirrors, doppelgangers.
*
7 And the Rest
Tired the mind is cleansed,
a bubble a cloud
the gifted theologian’s vision
dances on in space
alone.
