An assignment for a class in which we were reading Genesis, I wrote this poem. |
A flowing plain And luscious terrain An eastern Eden on Earth. Brother near brother, One above the other Each in his own mirth. A cliff above a city God’s chosen committee A promise waiting for life. A tent at the gate Misgivings too late Barely concealed strife. Then God himself comes to speak To his chosen one a message bleak A message ringing of rot and reek. Abraham, how could you have known? Your family, down there all alone Threatened by evil not before shown. Your wife and children, safe above Protected by your LORD God’s love Guided by the soaring dove. Abraham, you questioned Him When he revealed His plan You wondered and you stepped beside Him. A step ahead; that step none have taken. O, Abraham. You ask of fifty Forty-five Fourty Abraham, will you cease? Thirty, my LORD, thirty Still twenty are safe Audacious, Abraham, or affecting? Ten is a number safe from harm. Abraham, you ceased. Your endless flow of questions Stoppered Ended. Recall a young mother and boy A woman blessed with God’s joy Heaven, a smiling baby boy. She feeds him and loves him She loves him and hugs him Mother protects child. Father stumbles in Drunk and in a rage Father and his manly kin Drinking wine with every wage. Mother earns a nasty blow But Baby’s safe and sound Father always sinks so low Unconscious now on the ground. O, Abraham, the LORD’s true man When was this evil all began? Why is Mother cowering in fear Wincing whenever Father is near Going to bed and wiping a tear Scared for Baby’s future here? Abraham, not asking five Nor asking four Not asking three What would the LORD’s answer be? Abraham, there existed two A mother and baby, each of whom Were innocent. But fire rains from the sky Lot and daughters flee, but His wife had turned her sinning eye A pillar of salt became she. Abraham, you watch, you see Smoke rising, all so empty Abraham, What about Mother and Baby? |