History

The dead are never done with the living --

their ancient grievances constantly revived, reseeded,

for future generations to row and

rally over -- are life’s perennial crops.  

Why Abel slew Cain, Absalom Amnon …

Each night new animosities appear

to cast fresh light, another unthought of  

reason to carry on the depravity

of reaping sorrow and antipathy

from the ribs of our mothers’ golden calf.  

No matter which page we turn, our Bibles,

long ago stained by the blood of ancestors,

remind us of the covenant, our place

in history -- why us and not them were chosen.

Ken e Bujold