I

"I am" said the fish
in his slimed tank;

"And I" said the worm
as the earth passed through him.

"I am" said the bilge rat
lean and rank;

"And I", the toddler
ruddy, golden.

"I am" said the Canon
stooped and gentle,

But, snatching breath,
"You're not" said Death.

II

He wanted to hear frail-legged singers again
where stiff thatched grass
lay crusted white

but wiser than any of us
made ahead for Eden.

Soon now the thousand sweet
discordances
will shatter ice.

No doubt he passed them coming.