Cyclic Adam Poem by Eric Ratcliffe

In the land of fish and heron
and white candle maidens,
a dancing queen of five wings
collecting sea coral
in a wind of no purpose,
jumping by a lighthouse
discovered the Last Man
flat on his antique belly,
grotesque with wonder,
peering a stunted face
into rocking weeds
for gods and rare lights.

Afterwards from a tree
she noted his small teeth,
watching him stretch for nuts,
naked as a puma.

Hearing a temple bell,
she vanished in green dust,
breaking holy ampules
a a protection,
incase there were also serpents.