Theodicy Revisited

Without understanding the nature of cloud or rain

The wind blows in any way it wills, and trees

Bend in obedience to the dominant force.  Explain

If you can the paradox of restless seas

Or massive trembling of tectonic earth,

Or explosion out of the magma, boulders spewed

Aloft, with heavy glaciers of lava, birth

Of ancient volcanoes, following death, imbued

With awful metaphysical confusion—

One tsunami expressed ten thousand leagues,

Hurricanes rolling over tropical erosion,

Or thunderous avalanche.   Each intrigues

The rational universe and sets aside its claim

To order, dignity, and nature’s golden chain.