An A-to-Z of Original Sin
Of man’s first disobedience and the fruit
Adam, you’re always assuming it’s about the apple,
But your bad behavior was blaming me,
Compounded by cowardice.
Disobedience doesn’t damn
Except when
Followed by
Gaslighting,
Harassment,
Irresponsibility.
Just
Know yourself.
Lying
Makes
Nakedness
Overtly
Pitiable.
Quit quivering amongst the quinces.
Responsibility for
Self
Takes
Understanding,
Valor,
Wisdom.
Xxxoo,
Yours
ζωή (Eve)
Katherine Barrett Swett lives in New York City. She received a PhD in American Literature from Columbia University. Her poems have been published in journals including The Lyric, Rattle, Mezzo Cammin, The Raintown Review, and Measure. Her chapbook, Twenty-one, was published by Finishing Line Press in 2016. Her collection, Voice Message, was selected by Erica Dawson for the 2019 Donald Justice Poetry Prize and published by Autumn House Press in 2020.