Tag Archives: Poetry

Genesis 49

— The Last Blessing An old man’s breath,thin as lamp smoke,and twelve sons kneelwhere the bed meets the dark.“Gather,” he whispers,“and hear Israel, your father.” Reuben, my first strength,spilled waterthat wouldn’t stay in the jar.What you defiledwill not rise to … Continue reading →

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Genesis 48

— Crossed Hands Over the Dawn The old man leanson the frame of his bedthe way a reed leans on the wind,and he risesone last time. Luz comes back to him:a stone for a pillow,a ladder of fire,and a voice … Continue reading →

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Genesis 47

— A Stranger in a Strange Land Five shepherds stoodbefore the throne,dust of Canaan stillin the folds of their robes.“Let your servantssettle in Goshen.”And Pharaoh said,“The best of the land is yours.” * Then an old man was led in.“How … Continue reading →

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Genesis 45

— When the Past Meets Grace Joseph could hold it no longer.The doors closed like eyelids.Only the brothers remained,and the years.Then a cry broke from himand traveled through the houseto Pharaoh’s walls. I am Joseph.Is my father still alive?Silence fell … Continue reading →

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Wounds Meet Mercy

We walk slowly down the hillinto the hush of Panther Creek. Oliver, the barred owl,keeps his feathered silencesomewhere in the oaks. Again the sun risesand sets at Buzzard’s Roostwithout us.Light leavesthe way old friends leave,quietly,before we turn to look. * … Continue reading →

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Genesis 44

— The Cup and the Heart Morning over Egypt.In Benjamin’s grain,a silver cup sleepslike a closed eye.The brothers ride north,carrying breadand what they do not know. In Sudan, the storehousesstand hollow as bells.I hold a cup of water,and the distancefills … Continue reading →

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Genesis 43 (Edited)

— At the Table of Mercy The grain ran out again. Jacob opened the sackand looked into its darkness—as I sometimes lookinto my own heart,wondering how what once sustained mehas becomeso little. “Go back,” he said.“Buy us a little food.” … Continue reading →

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Genesis 42

— When the Past Stands Before Us Empty jars in Canaan.Rumor of graincoming up from the south. This November,aid trucks sit idle in Darfur,no fuel in their tanks.In Gaza, ration lists grow shorter.Here at home, five million namesare gone from … Continue reading →

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Genesis 41

— When the Time Comes The Nile at dawn.Seven fat cows rising from the reeds,seven lean ones after them,and the lean ate the fatand looked no fuller. Seven full ears on one stalk,seven scorched by the east wind. A dream … Continue reading →

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Genesis 40

— The Dreams We Carry in the Dark Two sad faces at morningbehind the same prison wall,one who poured the king’s wine,one who baked the king’s bread. Palace and prison,two worlds,and sorrow had led them bothto one floor. * “Why … Continue reading →

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