Joseph

See Genesis 49:1-4,22-26.

Standing at the parting place

My soul must choose its ben.

The excellence of dignity

with outstretched fingers beckons me,

and proffers with an easy smile–

calm as muddied water,

sweet as a she-slave’s eyes.

I know you, oh unstable one:

sorrow’s first ben-oni.

But shepherd-strengthened archer calls

though sorely grieved and separate,

to fly along a master’s halls

for coat of priesthood hue, and crown,

and place in God-King’s retinue.

Oh dreamer clean, I know you too.

Striding from the parting place,

my mind shall choose its ben.

Joseph is his name.

Joseph is his name.

Joseph.

Two roads diverged… Photo credit: Eric Vondy (Flickr)

Tagged: accountability, agency, choice, commitment, destiny, discipline, priesthood, purity, religion, temptation