The benediction lasted until nightfall. the wolves, the deer, and even the crickets (God bless the crickets) would lead their lives; the sound of faucet-flow from the mighty river echoed liberally throughout. (oh how that river flowed) the night was no place or time for us, us with our metal eyes and hearts of stone. we knew too much; we knew not enough. (how we strived to know) lilies with petals like half-moons reflected even a glimmer of love and soul in that benediction night, to even us with our cold steel eyes, our granite hearts.