Banished from the Garden

Things are wild in the Garden of Eden

When Adam returns from his daily toil.

(I guess that even in Paradise

Adam has to till the soil.)

"Adam," says Eve, "taste this fruit.

How could one ever surmise

That eating this fruit could be one's undoing?

You'll see the world through different eyes."

Adam partakes of the forbidden fruit,

And all of a sudden he feels inside

A rush of shame. Grabbing Eve's hand,

He says, "Come. We've got to hide."

A booming voice shakes the foliage,

"Darn! I knew I'd eventually dread it.

When I made you humans, I

Certainly gave you too much credit.

“What did I tell you about partaking

Of the tree bearing forbidden fruit?"
"Eve MADE me do it!" cries Adam.

God yells, "I don't give a hoot!"

"The serpent," says Eve. "It's the serpent's fault.

He was the actual perpetrator."

"Shush," says God. "You silly ninnies.

I will deal with the serpent later.

"Your thirst for knowledge of good and evil

Opened your eyes. I knew you'd rue it.

You'll be banished from Paradise now.

Bottom line: you both blew it."

Then God adds, "And put on some clothes.

Don't you feel at all ashamed?

And, by the way, before you leave,

Are there any animals you haven't named?"

Adam shrugs, "Nameless animals…

Let's see. I don't think there are any.

But there are millions of species here.

Why did you have to make so many?"

"Exit now from the Garden," God thunders.

"You had to know the mess you'd be in.

Both of you are going to discover

That now your troubles will really begin."

The Garden gates slam shut behind them

As the couple sadly wanders off.

"A fine mess you got us into!"

Adam mutters to Eve with a scoff.

"Life was easy in the Garden of Eden,

But there's one thing I have to confess,"

Says Eve, admiring herself in a pond,

"I'm really liking my brand new dress."

If they think they have troubles now,

Wait till they see what else God forbids:

Mixing fabrics and eating shellfish.

Wait till they start having kids!

Death for working on the Sabbath day
And no mixing of milk with meats
Will be more rules to look forward to.
(Luckily there is no mention of sweets!)

"People are going to blame us,” says Adam.

"We need to come up with a good solution.

I'm hoping that somebody somewhere devises

A logical theory of evolution."

So off they journey, hand in hand,

Wishing they'd gotten by with impunity.

"It was just fruit," they lament, already

Missing their life in their gated community.

(4-28-16) By Bob B

To Vote or Not to Vote

Not to vote in the general election

Would be ridiculous, for it would prove

To be a way of sending only

A sour grapes message--a short-sighted move.

Maybe the candidate running for office

Is not YOUR candidate of choice.

Not voting only demonstrates

An offensive and flagrant misuse of your voice.

Whatever your party affiliation,

Your vote matters a great deal.

Don't think that your deadly silence

Will ultimately have much appeal.

If you insist that casting your vote

Would be a sham--would be a disgrace--

You'll only shoot yourself in the foot;

You'll cut off your nose to spite your face.

(4-27-16) By Bob B