Stolen Election – A Poem for Parsha Toldot (Aliyah 5)

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And he said, "Are you [indeed] my son Esau?" And he said, "I am."

I like to think of myself as part of the team
of good guys (ladies included) with good beliefs
that are good for, not just me, but all the humans.

I sometimes forget the foundation of this comes from
a first family who tossed a brother into a pit,
swindled an inheritance for a bowl of stew

and featured a mother and second son
colluding to steal a birthright. From what I read
Esau was not the right person for the job

so, apparently, something had to be done.
In this case with a disguise and lies, plus
a meal of tasty foods.

Either the wrong or right guy got the blessing
depending on which side of the aisle you’re on.
And everything Jewish that’s happened since then

rides on the back of this deception. I think
Esau and Isaac deserve an apology. I think Esau
should at least have gotten a chance to get it wrong.

I think of the danger of stolen elections. I think
of the danger of just saying an election was stolen.
I think about who used to be in charge and

who put them there. I think everyone deserves better.
I think everyone deserves the very best. I think
a lot of people don’t think the way I think.

I am surprised at the way some people think.
At the things they’ll do to make things happen.
At the way the world somehow continues to turn

despite all of it.

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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