isaac

here i am — a stranger,

a sojourner in your lands

here i am —in the thicket

making tourniquet 

of the ties that bind

here i am — to vindicate

my honor, and dig my well,

and father my nations, 

and obey. 

but He says, "bring me your Isaac."

and i hide in the mouth of the mountain.

He says, "tarry, and there will be no ram."

but Lord, my love is spine and teeth.

He says, "lay it down, or it will be taken." 

here I am —

gnashing at provision,

no solace in the favor of faith.

entangled, nearsighted,

hungry, alone: i draw my blade

and eat it whole

for safekeeping —

cast away my fruits,

decline to multiply,

and await His wrath.