Inspired by the theory that cosmic branes (of a multiverse) can touch and influence one another Their “kiss” lasted but one millionth of a second, though truly timeless and spared of angels; a mere gleam in the dreaming eye of Pan; the first quiver of life in primordial ooze. A singularity popped off the tongue of a howling black hole, expanded where nascent gods toss rose petals over looping, cosmic currents, shot plasma-fire blue into the nothing of our universe— a universe silent as an ash-covered opera—until the chaos of cooling atoms induced space-time and spark, lending symphonic gravity to the tenacity of evolution, to the intangibles of consciousness. (From the books Wilderness & Love and The Hunchback's Captive and Others )