Post 371

Footsteps

Version One

God was already seated in the room when they arrived
In walked Man
In walked Woman

In his one hand, he held a sheaf of wheat
Fruit of the land
In his other hand, he held a tiny baby
Fruit of the womb

The Man chose the wheat
And God made the Man strong enough to make a living from the land
The Woman chose the baby
And God made the Woman strong enough to bring a life onto that land

And they went on their way
The Man held the wheat
The Woman held the baby

Version Two

God was already seated in the room when they arrived
In walked Man
In walked Woman

In his one hand, he held a sheaf of wheat
Fruit of the land
In his other hand, he held a tiny baby
Fruit of the womb

The Man chose the wheat
And God made the Man strong enough to make a living from the land
The Woman looked at the baby, and she looked at the wheat, and she also chose the wheat
And God made the Woman strong enough to make a living from the land

And they went on their way
The Man held the wheat
The Woman held the wheat

And God held the baby
The baby cried and reached out
The Man did not seem to hear it
But the Woman turned and looked back

The baby looked at the Woman
The Woman looked at the baby
For a moment the baby was silent
Though tears were on its cheeks

For a moment the Woman seemed to reconsider
And the world held its breath
Then she sighed
And went on her way