Reminiscence

Seeds of water drift on by, 
No purpose, or place, no alibi 
Breath of Life not yet bestowed. 
A shapeless river has not flowed. 
Internal organs of creature made, 
Stars and planets hastily bade 
But the creature, unmoved 
Gathered by Force, and with its shell grooved, 
Held the Universe in place. 
And impassive was its face; 
Destined to hold up the world 
Like Atlas its strength unfurled. 
On the very back of its shell, 
Was laid out the Nine Circles of Hell. 
A plummeting waterfall to carry the dead; 
But the maw of the beast was where angels tread.

The Tortoise