Generality

"We did not originate here, in this world. Long ago, there was another, a home to us, and to people who knew and understood us. But a time came when we decided it was best to leave that place. "In that world there were many gods, and many peoples. And one tribe had one god they revered above others, who was their ruler. This god's name it is not wise to say, and so we call them the God of the Four-Letter Name. The people of this god built many things, and fought many wars, and did things that were both wise and foolish, as people do. And through it all their god watched them. "Then at one time, a strange thing began to happen. It is said that their god sired a mortal son, or that the god incarnated as a mortal man, no one could agree which. Other gods have done such things, and so it might not have been of great moment beyond their own tribe. This was in itself not so strange. "But after the man lived and died, his people began to make strange claims: that he was the god not only of

O flower, bloom through hail and gloom toward the sky, toward the sky. The broken ground the keening sound will soon pass by, will soon pass by. Yet when the chill is gentle still you will be gone, you will be gone. Your stem will sink your stamen stink before the dawn, before the dawn. The space you left will be a cleft in memory, in memory. And those who saw you 'fore the thaw will better be, will stronger be. So flower, bloom through night and doom and I will see, and I will see.