In the Belly

One day, God throws you overboard,
brings along a monster,
and says, "Eat him."
And in you go.

What is the dark belly,
the horror of loss,
betrayal, failure?
God doesn't open a window.
He lets you sit in the juices
that eat away and scald your flesh.
A belly so dark you see nothing,
much less yourself.
Suffering is blind.

Then God says,
"Vomit him."
And out you go.
How many days, years have passed?
All the world is changed,
And your leprous scabs
are gone.
The sand scratches your baby skin.
You squint against the painful sun.



copyright by the author