21 JANUARY 1989, Page 37

A Cosmic Story

And now, feeling querulous, God said 'Let There be consciousness'. And slep,t. And out of his long dream confused man stepped.

Scorched victim of divine fission.

Crazed animal dipped into time. And under the mushrooming cloud and through The black snow crept towards the crime Of his history, immolating his own kind — For there was this burn and ache in his side Which nothing, for long, could assuage or cool.

Nor could he recognise that darker face, Reflected back from the cracked world's pool.

And God woke from his dream. And half-understood.

Sensed the nails through the palms. And the chafing wood.

Peter Abbs