Jason Schneiderman

The Unnaming

One by one the animals approached her
and she took their names back and put them
into Adam’s mouth and then let the animals
choose their own language.

This was a great relief to the animals,
but infuriated Adam, because they could all talk
without him understanding,
and now he had to hunt them for food.

That’s why Eve did it.
To protect them from Adam.
To protect them from Cain
who already grew in her stomach.

She wasn’t sure if she’d have the power,
but as the crickets played their wings
and the bullfrogs filled their lips,
she knew she had succeeded.

She didn’t worry about being punished.
Everything was punishment now.
She lay awake wondering how the small version
of her husband would leave her body.

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