Where are you?
Oh, do you think I can’t perceive
Among the bushes, through the leaves?
Is there some place where you can hide
When I recall you to my side?
And do you reckon I don’t know
Each sordid place your mind will go?
I saw you neath the old fig tree.
Why have you now forsaken me?
Who told you, you were naked?
What shameful modesty is this?
You turn your face, avoid my kiss?
What secret is from me concealed?
For to my eye all is revealed
There is nothing you can cover
From my Spirit who does hover
As your watchful, waiting lover
Friend, your kiss betrays your Saviour
Have you eaten from the tree?
How wide the freedom that I gave
And yet not satisfied, you craved
The consecrated fateful fruit
Which I had told you would not suit
Now the unexpected poison
Clouds your judgment and your reason
Oh, this stubborn independence
Robs you of my form and likeness
What have you done?
Who has closed your eyes with darkness?
Who has blocked your ear that harkens
Not my voice nor aching wooing?
And now your hearts are full of ruing
All you’ve sadly lost and squandered.
When your progeny have wandered
I will come and crush the serpent
Who has brought you to this torment.
Whence your anger?
What has given birth to sadness?
Who has carried off your gladness?
If you nurse this grudge so bitter
It will shred your soul and litter
Seeds of venom down the ages
Legacy of toxic rages
And your name will bear the shame
Rejected and dejected blame.
Where’s your brother?
From just one father’s passion surged
From just one womb you both emerged
And you both suckled at Eve’s breast
So what has led you to detest
Your brother? Abel’s blood cries out
And down long eons hear it shout
Where’s your precious brother, Cain?
Where’s your brother you have slain?
What have you done?
You sons of Adam hid and lied
What have you done? You crucified!
What have you done, you Son of Man?
You bore our flesh, our pain, were slain
And then you rose, dispersed your foes
Oh come again and reign and reign!
Where are you, gracious question-master?
Come rescue us from this disaster!
Neil Rogers © 2018
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