Wednesday 13 February 2013

Jabbok

Jacob at the guarded ford
   Held nuclear fission on his tongue;
   The Stranger said, “What song was sung?”
These are the words of the Lord.

Jacob at the guarded ford
   Moved crack divisions in his brain;
   The Stranger said, “What mother’s pain...?”
These are the words of the Lord.

Jacob at the guarded ford
   Weighed pelf and hunger in his hands;
   The Stranger said, “The burning sands...”
These are the words of the Lord.

Jacob at the guarded ford
   Plucked rose and lily by the stem;
   The Stranger only said, “Idem.”
These are the words of the Lord.

Jacob at the guarded ford
   Ignored the wound his brother had;
   The Stranger said, “The wise are mad...”
These are the words of the Lord.

Jacob at the guarded ford
   Arraigned the lion, soothed the lamb;
   The Stranger only said, “I am.”
These are the words of the Lord.

Jacob at the guarded ford
   Fought till the night was almost dim;
   His shrivelled sinew cried, “Elohim.”

These are the words of the Lord.

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© February 1980