8. Second fall

The fall of man is just behind
The falling of mankind
Concealed in every manly mood
Near sighted and long blind

The second fall is man’s alone
Seclusion of command
Not telling now not telling then
Discretion on demand

Boys will run, run to mum
And stay mum all their lives
In playgrounds they’ve always found
You have to watch out for the knives

The second fall is lost in time
The instinct’s to deny
If pushed the rush is to disclaim
To howl but never cry

The engineer is standing by
The details he’ll explain
But don’t expect him to reveal
The nature of his pain

Sticks and stones will break bones
But the hurt’s beyond recall
In its place the braver face
The lifelong second fall

Pushed out of Eden
Dumped and downcast
Eat from her tree then
Observe the fast
Heaved out of heaven
Stilled and subdued
Angels will beckon
Eat devil’s food