In the Beginning
    GOD created
        the heavens and the earth
            and now…
        there is darkness on the face of the deep
    and the earth is void
of righteousness and compassion.
And GOD dividedÂ
    between the heavens above
        and the heavens beneath
            and now…
        the heavens are filled with cries of suffering
    and the seas could never contain
the oceans of innocent blood.
And the Holy One
    Blessed Be
        gathered together the waters on earth
            and now…
        upon the dry land there is
    grass and trees bearing fruit
and anger bearing hatred and death.
And on the fourth day
    The Eternal GOD illuminated
        sun and moon and stars
            and now…
        darkness threatens to overcome
    the power of light
and the forces of evil and war unite.
Then ADONAI ELOHIM
    called forth living creatures
        to swarm in the heavens and in the seas
            and now…
        the skies are filled
    with weapons of destruction
and violence clouds the very air we breathe.
And the Creator
    of all the world said
        Let us make animals and human beings
            and now…
        human beings have become as animals
    that demand domination over all GOD’s works
and kill and destroy what they cannot control
But on the seventh day
    GOD rested from all labor
        and GOD blessed the work of Creation
            and now…
        we must live that blessing
    we must turn from death and war
and learn again the message of hope and love and peace.
And now…
    let there be peace
    let there be light
    let there be promise
    let there be love.
(I wrote this poem just moments after hearing the tragic news of the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin on 4 November 1995/ 12 Cheshvan 5756)
