Two Trees

Two Trees

In the Garden of Eden grow two trees —
The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil
And the Tree of Life. They stand near enough
One another that one can see the tree
One isn’t in from the branches one is. 
Except none are allowed in the Garden
Because our parents totally fucked up,
Though they never noticed the Tree of Life,
Only the Tree of the Knowledge of Good
And Evil, which they ate of, which is why
We have to die. There was enough time — though
There’s no such thing as time in the Garden — 
Between when they shared the apple and when 
God called for them while walking in the cool 
Of the day — to find the Tree of Life and
They would have eaten of that tree also 
Had they known that its bitter red berries 
Are magic against death, which explains why
Birds don’t die in Eden. Not even the serpent
Knew of that tree. But seeing that they’d eaten 
Of the other, God had no choice but to 
Deport them and set a flaming sword spinning 
To guard the Garden where both trees still grow 
Like those trees you see in the courtyards 
Of rural kindergartens where kids so smart 
They're often bored to tears stare at them 
All day through dirty windows. They know that
The trees aren't holding leaves
But keys to the kingdom of happiness.