The Afterlife With Hawking and Christ

by Rhonda Melanson

They perch, Rodin-like across from each other,
discourse ensues- parable, theory,
           theory, parable:

tell me if you’ve heard the one about the
computer getting a reboot?

were you aware that water and wine
mixed together is not the  solution?

They concede, settling for a recalibration
of traditional wine, sipping
            without acrimony

for they know that one hundred proof
         will render them mortal.
         So together at night fall,

they search for new stars.  Constellations
that connect everything, including safe spaces
          for dark holes.

— from Juniper Volume 2, Issue 1