Adam Rebuking (A reply to Toni Morrison’s ‘Eve Remembering’) “Do it again,” you say, “do it again”? ‘Tis but the fruit of an ill-tempered pen! How selfishly you break poor Adam’s heart And take for brief delight the devil’s part. There is no deeper deep than master’s call Though you would celebrate your shallow fall. Your ode to Tartarus Heaven appalls For thou'st fed Adam of the fruit that galls. There is no tenderer limb that love enthralls Than his who holds you close by Eden’s falls, No hotter fire than that within his waist Which thou hast squandered for a fleeting taste, Nor sweeter savor on thy maiden lip Than his, though you preferred the bitter pip, No better guide to run cool hands upon Than Adam's rib that God built thee upon, Nor better wellspring of satiety Than Adam’s infinite variety. And though you mount Olympus’ lofty steep And think the outstretched kingdoms there to peep, ‘Tis but a pimple to God's mighty reach. And do you think the Lord naïve to teach Who conquered Satan on a threshing floor And holds the keys to Heaven, and hell’s door? Your eyes undone? Nay, and your reason too That made your love in love to join with you. You'd not spare Adam to Eternity But share thy misery for company. Yet second Adam with a second chance Baulks not His calling for thy wanton glance. Go then again, commit thy wanton sin, For I leave thee a better prize to win!