Translated by Robert Eric Shoemaker
Published in Exchanges: Journal of Literary Translation, 2018
“A word that shows up is a message for you.”
Andrew Schelling
The Sacrifice of Abraham
The Bible, one type of history,
says between the first and second arc,
Abraham wanted to be a good Patriarch
with God up Mountomb in a covenant fiery.
He found a branded donkey dubbed Mark
who, without thanking him and un-self-centeredly,
was peacefully stayed in clover and chicory
outside of his house like a Monarch.
Abe called Isaac: “Make a packet,
find the briar axe, load the ass pronto,
call the grunt here, put on your jacket,
kiss Momma goodbye, get my hat; let’s go
and hit the road, for the good Lord asketh
a sacrifice that none need know…”
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