Genesis by Mary Ruefle

Genesis

Oh, I said, this is going to be.

And it was.

Oh, I said, this will never happen.

But it did.

And a purple fog descended upon the land.

The roots of trees curled up.

The world was divided into two countries.

Every photograph taken in the first was of people.

Every photograph taken in the second showed none.

All of the girl children were named And.

All of the boy children named Then.