Two-by-Two

The Bible ends the flood with hope 
Genesis 9:11,  never again by water 
But this afternoon, I learned 
God never promised about fire 

And I'm fifteen years old 
But really I’m still 5 
Impatient 
Waiting for my mother to stop chatting 
So I can go pet all the animals 

And I’m still small enough for the pony ride 
Waiting in line 
The ponies, circling, children on their sturdy backs
Birds nearby squawk
They speak, too
Just a few words more than a babbling toddler
Not enough to warn of the smoke
Of the fire

Two by two they entered the ark
Two by two they burned

And there was no rainbow after
No promise 
No covenant
Just smoke
And the memory of hay
And my mother's voice
Still talking
While I wait to go inside

Even at 15, I’m still waiting
Because two by two, Noah counted them safe
And two by two, I count them dead
At the place named for salvation

Smoke will never form a rainbow
Flames, never leave even an olive twig intact
The char is the only proof the farm existed

And two by two, I will remember it