Canberra , late 1980s ‑
a belated Thank You to my gracious hosts
A strong Sephardi accent, all agreed
in gentle teasing of the honoured guest
who shared their Seder as a Christian goy
and took his halting turn at Haggadah.
The accents are of no account to God
who in his holiness is sworn to both;
yet we, like working dogs around a farm,
still scrap instead of working side by side.
Then when we're whistled in at end of day,
we wag our loyal tails for food and rest;
God's love, our kibble in this wilderness
until that Banquet, when God leads us home.
Though Exile is our property for now,
Jerusalem it is we're homesick for;
when salty tears and bitter herbs will cease
and God's two working dogs will know their peace.
9 April 2013
© the Revd James M McPherson
Maryborough Q
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