Darkness at midday, night in the morning –
darkness that can be felt – the ninth plague –
a new decade begins – the third of the twenty first century –
fire on the hills – an orange glow in the sky –
clouds – with darkness on the one side and light on the other –
spiralling – terror – mountain ranges – a phoenix
consumed – what of the life within them? The Lord
said to Moses, When you return to Egypt, see that
you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have
given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart
so that he will not let my people go. Our leaders – is
this their destiny? Ancient rites renewed each summer –
loss and rebirth – but this is something unexplained –
the finger of nature – a miracle – a glory in a dark cloud.