In exile

In exile, the forcibly dispossessed

people of Yahweh receive a letter

from the mad and lonely prophet

who instructs them to stop resisting

and to make peace with their conquerors.

Reluctant dwellers in a foreign city,

they weep for Jerusalem, and the God

who, they assume, has abandoned them.

The holy city lies in ruin

but their distance from those ancient stones

must not lead to despair; they are to trust

that the strange purposes of their apparently

absent God will yet be revealed.

“Become dual citizens,”

the treasonous words of the missive urge.

“Make yourself neighbours to your enemies

and seek their well being, along with that

of their heathen city.

Accept the offers of friendship

build, plant, take jobs, establish businesses

and call this place home.

Take wives, beget children

and look to the time when you can

take pleasure in your grandchildren:

you will be here for some time yet.

But it will be all right.

“Don’t forget, covenant people of God,

to pray for your adopted city and its people.

In this way your enemies will become

your friends and you will all benefit.

Yes, and it will be all right.”

© Ken Rookes 2010