Made to Breathe by Nicole Sealey

Made to Breathe

              In regard to the gods,

their secrets, who knew human love

             wanted darkness.

             Signs were many. Years facing

the gods led to scorn. Nothing is.

Of this earth, nothing is told about myths

             made to breathe merely

             a hundred times. The stone,

at the very end, measured by time,

watches the world push.

                          *

              Heavy yet upheld, the workman

works his fate, but is powerless to it.

              I fancy melancholy in man, nights           

              without knowing the moment

tragedy begins—his little voice

necessary to night. 

                           *

              If there is a master over life,

he is eager to see the rock rolling.