Heritage

The ram came last of all.  And Abraham
did not know that it came to answer the
boy’s question – first of his strength
when his day was on the wane.

The old man raised his head.  Seeing
that it was no dream and that the angel
stood there – the knife slipped from his
hand.

The boy, released from his bonds, saw
his father’s back.

Isaac, as the story goes, was not
sacrificed.  He lived for many years, saw
what pleasure had to offer, until his
eyesight dimmed.

But he bequeathed that hour to his
offspring.  They are born with a knife in
their hearts.

HERITAGE