This thing that starts with "C"

It's an ugly enemy, this thing that starts with "C"

One of many tragic repurcussions

The comeuppance for our quest for knowledge

The recompence for thinking ourselves gods

The payment for our rebellion at the Fall

How could they have known?
~

Is knowledge really worth the price of this thing that starts with "C"?

A physical affirmation of mankind's spiritual state

Corrosive, destructive, leperous--

Eating away at the flesh like sin at the soul.

It afflicts even those who are upright,

Sucking vitality from the marrow

Stealing health from the bones.

Snatching away precious time with those we love.
~

A painful judgment is this thing that starts with "C"

Atrocious, abhorrent, abominable--

Unrelentingly voracious

Even the pure in heart cannnot escape its clutches.

Even the merciful find no mercy from its grasp.

A vice grip - vicious, vulturine, and vile,

It mars the proud and meek alike.

It molders the guilty and the innocent.

Steals mothers from their children, and children from their mothers

Murders fathers, sisters, brothers, friends

Without thought or conscience.

~

Where is the justice in this retribution?

The wages of original sin is death...

This I well know, for I have witnessed this thing that starts with "C"

Ransack the bodies of several whom I love

"Tis justice for the pride in Eden's pair

Who sought godship in a fruit,

but found depravity in its stead

And poured out man's mortality on all who came after.
~

Is there any way to escape this thing that starts with "C"?

If only Eve had not been tempted

If only Adam had not partaken would this "C" not be.

But if there had never been a Fall would there be a "me"?

A "me" to sit here with my pen and pad lamenting

This thing that starts with "C"?