After the Binding of Isaac

Sacrifice is just too gory,
So Abraham made up a story:
“My son Isaac is not dead
Because an angel saved him,” Abraham said.

The Lord had different views.
He never forgave the Jews.
The Israelites who had been slaves
Died in the desert, without even graves.

Because the Lord’s wrath was fired,
A biological son of his own he sired.
“Listen to me, each and every Jew.
I sacrificed my son.  Why can’t you?”

The Diaspora would last and last.
Then the birth of Israel made exile the past.
“Accept my child,” jihadists implored.
“Yum yum, delicious,” said the Lord.

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This poem appeared in Volume 14 (2008) of And Then.