Lucille Clifton




remembering the birth of lucifer

some will remember
the flash of light
as he broke
from the littlest finger
of God     some will
recall the bright shimmer
and then
flush in the tremble of air
so much shine

even then     the seraphim say
they knew
it was too much for
one small heaven
they rustled their three wings
they say     and began
to wait      and to watch