Wednesday, February 9, 2011

The Wind

This is a poem I wrote several years ago during a boring lecture class. It is based on the story of Cain and Abel and highlights the fact that, prior to the end of that story, there was no mention of cities in the Bible - which could lead us to believe that there were no cities until Cain built them.

There was a time not long ago
When across the earth the Wind did blow
Unstopped by cities, their sky-high buildings
Whispering of births & deadly killings

With rocks & grass & trees 'twas blended
Down lonely vales and canyons wended
Unstopped by cities, their sky-high buildings
And telling of births & deadly killings

Wind saw the first sons, Cain and Abel
Blew o'er their sacrifice on the table
Unstopped by cities, their sky-high buildings
Recalling births & foretelling killings

Cain's poor sacrifice found wanting
While Wind observed Abel's best off'ring
And Cain raged unstopped by a brother's feeling
Forgetting their births & plotting killing

And the Wind blew across the field
Where Cain his brother Abel killed
Unstopped by cities, their sky-high buildings
Remembering births & mourning killings

Then God judged Cain but was merciful
Saying "Cain shall be avenged sevenfold"
While the Wind across the earth was blowing
Observing births & witnessing killings

And the Wind watched the fugitive
Cain go to the land of Nod to live
Unstopped by cities, their sky-high buildings
Recalling births & foretelling killings

Now, almost as in times of long ago
The Wind across the earth does blow
But is stopped by cities, their sky-high buildings
Telling of births & deadly killings

For Cain built cities for his children
While Wind with rocks, grass, trees did blend
Stopped by cities, their sky-high buildings
Still whispering of births & deadly killings

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