Vayeishev

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Everything I learned about the story of Joseph
I learned from the musical.

I can’t think about his adventures without the voice
of the narrator telling it to us in rhyme.

I can’t think about the Butler Joseph meets in Egypt Jail
without Joseph telling him he will live to ‘butle’ again.

Not in the original text but that’s how Andrew Lloyd Weber
and Tim Rice told it to me, interpreting the Torah

like any troupe of musical Chasids,
making it rock and roll to bring it home for a rock and roll era.

The twelve sons of Jacob, who became French in
one scene for some reason; I don’t know how Jacob

had thirteen children, I can barely have one without wanting to
throw him in a pit, sell him to a passing band of Ishmaelites.

I guess despite the obvious he’s still my favorite.
We ply him with the multi-colored coats of our day.

Video games and Barbies for God’s sake.
Maybe that’s why we don’t have more.
So there’s nothing to be jealous of.
So we’ll never see a bloodied garment

accompanied by tales of devouring beasts.
Beware in Egypt my son. You’re attractive enough

to raise the eyebrows of all the Mrs. Potiphars.
You may be running the place some day,

but, remember, it’s not all about you.
Don’t forget about us in the Van Nuys of Canaan.

A famine is coming and whatever wheat is today
we’re going to need that.

Those Canaan days. They grow up so quickly.
It’s like a dream.

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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