It was not I who moved Abraham to twice lie
and sell his sister-wife, Sarah’s favors to wealthy
men for profit and then teach their son,
Isaac to do the same.
Nor I who caused him to cast his slave-wife,
Hagar and son, Ishmael out into the desert
wilderness to die.
It was not My voice which led him to deceive
Sarah and plot to betray her only child to death.
Abraham was unable to identify that voice
he heard, for he knew Me not.
Deafened by madness, he does not heed
My entreaty to stop and do no harm.
When she discovered her only child was taken
to be slaughtered and burned, Sarah expired;
her heart overwhelmed by panic
and a mother’s grief.
Isaac, bound upon the pyre; his trust shattered,
laughter gone, struggles as his father,
reason overthrown, stalks forth to kill.
Abraham raises the dark glass blade of slaughter;
given to him for this purpose.
Malign chanting fills Abraham’s
head with confusion.
No test was this. What need could I have to test
Abraham, whom I formed in perfect knowledge?
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