Perhaps the fifty righteous men will be missing five. Will you destroy the entire city because of five?
Abraham was a God wrestler before
the term Israel existed. Like his unwritten
test at the idol shop, he passes this one
with flying pillars of salt.
I can’t help but think of Las Vegas
when the story of Sodom comes along.
City of sin in the desert – how many
righteous could be found in
a place where what happens there
can’t be spoken of elsewhere?
Other cities with less of a reputation
for debauchery are going down.
Just yesterday there were waves
in St. Mark’s Square as the rising
seas threaten to send Venice
the way of Atlantis.
Someday our best cities will
be only rumors in ancient texts
we are still writing down.
Every city needs an Abraham
a Sanders
an Ocasio-Cortez
a Thunberg
arguing with the destroyers
speaking up for those who
don’t deserve to be salt.
We’re drying up.
We’re flooding over.
There may not be enough
kind hearts among us
to make it stop.