Chapter IV

I said:

Let the wind be on earth to sweep this rot clean

I said:

Let be wind and blood

The wind uprooting the rustling of tenacious leaf

The blood reaching roots to purify and fertilize

Ascending the stalk

Entangled leaves

Hanging fruit

That they be pressed into wine

Trilling in jugs

I said:

Let the blood turn into a river of honey

Flowing through the gardens of Eden

Earth is beauty

Embellished by the poor

For them

It perfumes itself

They give it love

It gives them progeny and pride

I said:

The rich shall not dwell in it

The rich who mint from the sweat of laborers

Adulterous coins

Crown jewels

Ivory earrings

And hypocritic rosaries

For I am the forebear of the poor who live apart

Dying and counting on me for solace

I said:

Let the earth be for them and for me

(As I am one of them)

When I take off my heavenly garments

I am sanctified

In hunger's scream on a rude bed