Economics at Eden

"Lisbon is destroyed, and they dance in Paris!"

(Voltaire on the Lisbon Earthquake, 1755)

Did Eve know
in that moment
in that moment did she know
when she walked with
head hanging toward the gate
toward the keepers of despair---
Did Eve know
in that moment
in that moment did she know
that she was condemned
to birth death?
Did Eve know
in that moment
in that moment did she know
of the long line headed lemming-like
toward the precipice
Did Eve know
in that moment
or did she smile shyly over her shoulder
tossing Adam a come-hither stare
Did Eve know
in that moment
in that moment did she know
did the tree of knowledge
impart wisdom that referenced in any way
the cost adjusted price

of an apple?


(Image: Jakob Porat, The Apple, 1988)