Parashat Vayeira: The Walk Back Home (Songs From the Diaspora)

Songs From the Diaspora is a poetry blog focusing on the weekly Torah portion or other Jewish texts. This week the story of the Akedah, was the source of inspiration.

Vayeira

With each footfall

did his pain increase

or might he have been certain

as some say?

Did his wife’s laughter at the impossible

peel his heart back,

as they left their men behind

with a promise to return-

Did his stomach seize

with a pang,

like the expulsion of birth-

His tongue slice-

like the brit milah,

When he becalmed his son?

And as he bound him?

His nation upon the Altar,

what a sweet relief to find,

His hand stayed

what pure love to see the dust and stars so numerous

in that moment

and find themselves

Standing amongst them