then
the thoughts

trickled to a stop
and the memories
dealt a crippling blow
sank into
the subconscious
to fossilize
in time.

meanwhile-
the torrent swept us past
pastures, ruins,
deserts, marshes;
till fate interceded
and washed ashore
our hope drained bodies
in the land
of divine selection
where we permitted
our optimism
germinate
.