A Villanelle for Parasha Vayera, before and beyond . . .

The Lord commands His subjects to obey.            
For Cain the ground became as dry as bone.        
Still shines the moon each night, the sun each day.
    
(One brother hates the Other, this cliche            
is old as dirt to me, a wrinkled crone.)              
​The Lord commands His subjects to obey.            

Watch Sodom and Gomorrah go astray            
and burn to ash for sins they won’t atone.            
Still shines the moon each night, the sun each day.    

See Hagar, Ishmael both cast away.                    
See Abraham bind Isaac to the stone.            
The Lord commands His subjects to obey.         

Where are the angels that can keep at bay             
the knife that threatens? Call them on the phone!         
Still shines the moon each night, the sun each day.        
          
The land is split in two. Now let us say     
there’s only One and mercy is His throne.         
The Lord commands His subjects to obey.            
Still shines the moon each night, the sun each day. 



                                                                                                           copyright 2016 Ozzie Nogg

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