| Girl-Child in the Promised Land At that moment when I was conceived Although there was as yet no I At that moment, I felt a sting. At that moment when those two halves Were irrevocably uniting Although there was as yet no I At that moment, I felt a sting. The egg, the sperm—neither one Felt itself the least in need But the egg, so easily swelled, Allowed that slim spelunker in. I imagine the egg from which I came: Content. Cocksure as ancient China Famed for never conquering But masterfully absorbing Every useful foreign influence Would-be invader, luckless intruder That by plan or pure mischance Somehow wandered in. I imagine the sperm from which I came: Misguided. Supremely arrogant. One more intrepid explorer Convinced he's fulfilling his destiny. He will succeed where all others have failed. He will find the mythical city Place of long-lost, priceless treasure. He will claim his rightful plunder. It is nothing personal, I'm just the X on his map. |