Apocalypse, at sunset:
Noxious gasses
form animal clouds,
phenomenon of pareidolia,
that babble and spurt
while below, the purple
sludge burps and the
tired forest catches fire.
The sun glows on,
sinks low, brilliant
orange strikes the sky.

Apocalypse, at daybreak:
Mushroom clouds cluster
along the crimson horizon;
thunderous booms shake
crisp leaves from long-dead
trees. Birds scream
morning sounds.
Craters form in
dusty bowls.
The rivers run red
with blood.

Apocalypse, at midday:
Everest has fallen,
Mount Olympus, too.
Gods tangled in humanity
forgoing palaces for catacombs.
Sink holes consume
fields of gold.
The wise man
builds his house
nowhere.

Apocalypse, the witching hour:
Split moon cuts the fearless gloom,
sneering at tsunami waves
Bogs rise, towers collapse
Yellow fog withers
plagues of locusts.
Red Sea flooded, resurrecting
sunken ships bound for
nonexistent promised lands.
At least the fire
is out.