Heritage - Haim Guri

[Larry Robinson]

Heritage

The ram came last
And Abraham did not know that he
Came in answer to the boy’s request
His first strength at the time of the waning day.

The old man raised his head.
When he saw that he was not dreaming
And the angel stood – 
With the knife falling from its hand.

The child, freed of his bonds
Saw his father’s back.

Yitzhak, it is said, was not offered as a sacrifice.
He lived a very long time,
Seeing the good, until the light of his eyes dimmed.

But he bequeathed that hour to his descendents.
They were born
With a knife in their heart. 

                                                              
     - Haim Guri