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God
And Men
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Nigel S. Daring
God, “You both don’t love me, you shall be punished”
Voice one, “No master, we love you. We obey your voice”
Voice two, “Master, we are your servants eternally. We do your work always”
God, “You are wicked and choose evil”
Voice one, “Master, not so. Not so”
Voice two, “Oh master, hear us. We do your good always. We love always”
God, “I will show you that you don’t love me”
It was Bar Mitzvah for Ytzak in his family’s home in Israel
After the ceremonial activities, family and relatives conversed
Israel’s nation-status was a hot topic that easily called for everyone’s participation
The Rabbi stated dogmatically, “This is our land promised by Yahweh”
The Rabbi continued, “Jerusalem is the City of Great King David. We cannot give it up”
Young Eli internalized this message and vowed to protect his culture’s God-given right
“The Jews are thieves”, said Ahmed, the elder Palestinian
He continued, “I remember when this land belonged to us”
His anger and his passion were transferred to his grandson Mohammed
Mohammed could think of nothing more than to have his homeland restored to his people
Ahmed made him aware that “Infidels must be removed from the sight of Allah”
Mohammed knew especially that Jerusalem, the holy city, must be restored
An explosion heard; shots fired
“What’s going on? What is happening?”
An Arab attack in Jerusalem
It may have had a planned beginning, but other Palestinians were joining spontaneously
Mohammed heard the news and saw this as an opportunity to contribute to the cause
Mohammed thought, “Infidels must be removed from the sight of Allah…
Jerusalem … must be restored”
Eli heard the news and recalled, “This is our land promised by Yahweh …
Jerusalem is the City of Great King David. We cannot give it up”
Mohammed advanced aggressively with a Palestinian mob
Eli responded with an Israeli street force
They saw each other
Mohammed thought, “Infidels must be removed from the sight of Allah…”
Eli thought, “This is our land promised by Yahweh … We cannot give it up”
Mohammed raised his automatic rifle and aimed
God, “Love”
Voice one, “No… Infidels must be removed from the sight of Allah…”
Eli saw Mohammed and responded drawing his weapon
God, “Love”
Voice two, “No…This is our land promised by Yahweh”
Mohammed fired at Eli
God, “Love”
Voice one, “No”
Eli returned fire at Mohammed
God, “Love”
Voice two, “No”
In the exchange of bullets, both men killed each other
God, “Love”
Voice one, “No”
Voice two, “No”
God, “Now you will be punished”
Voice one, “Yes”
Voice two, “Yes”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
I was born in Jamaica, West Indies and migrated to the United States in 1986. I've lived in New York since entering the United States. I was partly educated in Jamaica, up to the 4th grade in High School. I completed High School in Brooklyn, New York. I then received a Bachelor of Arts degree in anthropology from Columbia University and an Master of Public Administration degree from Baruch College. I worked in the Department of Health for seven years and have been a teacher since then (at the Board of Education and in a day care center). I have also worked at Covenant House with wayward children for about two years. Currently, I do private tutoring and am also pursuing a music career. My poetry reflects my rich education, personal and professional experience, religion, and ambition. I write about diverse topics, from love to world crises. I am a Rastafarian by choice and my poetic stance often manifests through my religious interpretation of life. My hobbies include listening to music (favorite artist is Bob Marley), playing soccer, and reading the news.
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