Crack of dawn

“There’s a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.” — Leonard Cohen

Before there was light, before there was firmament or perdition, and even before there were creatures great and small, there was sound—an eternal vibration from which would spring the deities who would bring order and meaning to the universe.

And in that timeless darkness, long, long ago and far, far above, the gods awoke and said, “This is good. Let’s have a party.”

But first, they needed light. So, they compressed that eternal vibration into a great sphere that illuminated the heavens. And they called it Yoke. As it spiraled like a giant disco ball in tune with the commanding celestial music, they began to dance. And dance and dance. As they did, a new vibration emerged. They called it heat.

And when the heat solidified Yoke, they called it good.

With the heavens full of light and heat, the celestial deities created festive raiments of variegated orbs, ribbons of stars, and dazzling comets. But what, they asked, is a party without food and drink? And thus, they created the bountiful seas and fertile land from which they derived sustenance. They served it to themselves on silver platters of crescent moons.

Then one aeon, a golden god dropped a moon of bleu cheese and cracked the floor of the firmament. From that crack spilled all their light upon the multiple planets below—light to illuminate, to heat, to grow food. Thus, it came to be that Earth replicated the glories of the heavens, with mortals imitating the gods.

The gods were pleased with what the light had created. But soon, the mortals begin to say, “Your light is brighter, or longer, or warmer than mine.”

So the gods build a grand house for Yoke with calcium carbonate, complete with a delicate door of orange and violet hues. By opening it each morning and closing it each night, the power of the great sphere shone equally upon all from on high. Darkness below ruled the night while the Yoke above ruled the day.

The new ritual reminded them that breaking the firmament not only gave light to the mortals, but also a reason to hold it fast. They called the celebration breakfast. And it was good.

And that, my children, is why we crack the shell to make our eggs sunny side up.