When God first gave a rhythm to the world
it was simple: day and night, night and day –
called it circadian rhythm.

God sent another world a spinning.
Its empty face came and went, came and went –
called it lunar rhythm.

God laid on this a slower beat,
growing hot, growing cold –
called it annual rhythm.

What came at first as the patter of rain
rose again through the stems of plants –
called it precipitation.

Then came creatures small and great
with wings and beaks and songs to sing.
It was God’s creation.

Then came man with stick and drums
counterpointing – changing beat –
a shifting, surging, syncopation.