11:00 AM — Stories by Peter Nolon

11:00 AM

CHILDREN OF PROMISE

PART 1: HEIR

They tell me that I’m the child of promise,

But my brother is the son of the woman

Yahweh saw.

My mother named me for her laughter

But his mother was first to name God.

I am meant to bring joy to my people

Yet, God hears my brother’s laughter

And tells him he will be strong

She whispers to me that this promise

Isn’t big enough to hold us both

But didn’t Yahweh promise a blessing

Big enough for nations, larger than galaxies?

Must I achieve my inheritance

By ripping it from the dead hands

Of my father’s bloodline?

Is the one I am supposed to hate

Actually my brother?

After all,

How can the God of promises

Promise to see, vow to hear

The son of His enemy?

PART 2: ZAMZAM

I am hated and cast out

I am only mentioned in curses

And only seen when needed

Only ever used, never loved

Yet, in these open deserts of endless sand

In the blazing heat of the unjust day

These are the places I hear you speak

And each word is gentle

Each couplet whispered

Each verse uttered

With care for my very soul

Yet, before you send me back

Into harsh suffering

Let me drink deeply

From the well of your gaze

Let me stop here a while more

That your goodness may run forth

That I might find some vessel

To hold you with me

As I walk back into the abuse

Of those who should know better

You ask me to see

Both the abuser

And abused

As creations of you

Formed and held

By your hands

Within sight of your eyes

So let me first be seen

Be held

Be known

By you

When I must suffer

Let me suffer well

Having drunk fully

From the places where your spirit hovers