in the time of leif ericson

from roughly hewn granite

a bright white elk struck forth

arrows jutting from its neck like needles

soft fur caked with blood

through smoke and fire that stung the mizzling sky

it opened its crackling mouth

muzzle appeared from muzzle

teeth gnashed at lip

tongues wrenched free, swallowed whole

and such a child was born that was both light and dark

right and wrong

falling, dripping in placenta

struck the floor, an asteroid of entrails

cocked a blistered face to the people

(who bent on knee as one)

and told them to return to the ground

to prepare for the end of days