Ritual Rites Poem by gershon hepner

They wondered why the fruit had been forbidden,
and ate it though they clearly had been warned;
the danger surely never had been hidden,
but early warnings they had blithely scorned.

Expelled, who knew that innocence was lost,
replaced by guile that we associate
with men who’re civilized? All pay the cost
of fruit they ate on that most fateful date.

They didn’t weep or quarrel, but both planned
to come back, hoping that they’d be forgiven,
inventing rituals that few can understand,
which they believed, like flowers that you send
to those you’ve hurt, would help them to be shriven,
though ritual rites won’t help a wrong to mend.

Inspired by WH Auden’s “The Wondered Why the Fruit had Been Forbidden”

They wondered why the fruit had been forbidden:
It taught them nothing new. They hid their pride,
But did not listen much when they were chidden:
They knew exactly what to do outside.

They left. Immediately the memory faded
Of all they known: they could not understand
The dogs now who before had always aided;
The stream was dumb with whom they'd always planned.

They wept and quarrelled: freedom was so wild.
In front maturity as he ascended
Retired like a horizon from the child,

The dangers and the punishments grew greater,
And the way back by angels was defended
Against the poet and the legislator.

7/16/05