Natural Born Coveter – A poem for Parsha Vayishlach (Aliyah 4)

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But Esau said, "I have plenty, my brother; let what you have remain yours."

We, in the land of plenty
are natural born coveters.

The inches on our TV’s
The newness of our cars

The number of cars and
the number of spaces

we have in which to put our cars.
The devices we hold

in our hands to communicate
with other people’s devices.

More than six months old?
Have we failed at life?

I remember overhearing a
midwest teen demand

designer bedsheets.
When we sit on airplanes

everyone in front of us
royalty

everyone behind us
society’s scourge.

Didn’t need to take a plane
to go on vacation?

How quaint.
Hotel brand status?

I want my free bottles of water
because I’m on your list

or I’d like to speak
to your manager.

Esau surprised us all when he
didn’t want what Jacob had brought.

Aware of his plenty
he took payment in hugs.

Even after the deceit
with the hairy arms

and the foolishness with
the fresh stew

He was content to be
on this side of the river

with his
long lost brother.

These poems are offered free for your enjoyment. If you use them as part of an event, meeting, educational or liturgical setting, please consider tipping the author.

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