EARTHQUAKE

What always has been steady, solid ground
Begins to tremble as the temblor rocks
The substrate, making everything unsound
While crumbling into rubble solid blocks.

A tall cathedral wavers in the air,
Its spires striated now with crevices;
The subway underground must also bear
The buffets, leaving riders feeling diz-

zy and alarmed—and then it stops.  What now?
We never thought that such a dread event
Could touch us here or Providence allow
Such injury.  For what must we repent?

     This so-called Act of God must have a reason,
     Or could this simply just be earthquake season?

*