The heart, altering, alters all.
Sometimes, it happens and who
Knows why—the world
Suddenly turns ugly
And decides to crush you.
Don’t waste time trying
To understand, just fight
For your life, do all you can
To survive.
That’s what
Jacob did on the riverbank
When he was ambushed
By that cruel angel.
All night
He fought against a silent,
Giant malice that was
Determined to destroy him.
Yes, he came through it alive—
I’m with you on that:
By all means, let’s celebrate
What a doughty human can do
Against impossible odds.
But who says the actual
Battle was the worst of it?
There’s also aftermath.
I wish Jacob good luck
Trying to figure out
Why God would
Send such a creature to do
Such a job.
Maybe he got
A blessing; maybe not,
But I’m personally certain
Of this much:
As that
Bleak dawn came on
And he sat in the mud,
Recovering,
Rubbing his torn shoulder
And bruised legs,
Jacob’s heart was filling
With a bitter
Wisdom
Blended of tears,
Rage, fear and shame.
For me, the only question is:
After that, what cup?
What cup could he drink from?