how soon after biting into the fruit

did the first people reach for the fig leaves

to cover themselves?

there, in the garden,

as they hid themselves

from God and each other,

did Adam’s palms grow sweaty?

did the blood rush to Eve’s cheeks?

for the wages of sin is death,

but first must come shame.

the word “mortify” literally means

“to put to death.”

oh, to be human is to be mortified,

to die of embarrassment,

to wish to be swallowed up

by the ground

beneath one’s feet,

to wish for a savior who might

put to death my shame,

who might mortify

that which mortifies me.