the poem after the end of the world (48)

inspired by Lucille Clifton’s “shapeshifter poems”…

the poem after the end of the world

its quiet
not morning quiet full of birds and slipping dreams
its middle of the night quiet
when you can whisper your secrets out loud
fearless.

last night god looked down on us
said enough is enough
toppled mountains like dominos
spilled ocean, wiped her hand clean across the sky

and you wake up rubbed pink with sleep
naked and smiling,
you look out the window.

and where there were buildings
there are now trees
and where there were sidewalks
there are now trees
and where there was running away
there are now trees as thick as atmospheres

everything is green again.