POEM AND PHOTO BY ED NORTHEN

The first spoken words

in the Torah

“Let there be light”

Before any human is formed

before the soul imparted

by divine breath

there was light

A nation promised

to a wanderer

a saunter of the desert

his progeny would number

the stars

every night

heavenly luminaires

a reminder of the promise

faith being essential for hope.

though also revealed

was a time of darkness

for 400 years

until the promised stars

were led back into the wilderness

a cloud by day

a fire, lighting the ebony night

light always a reminder

of covenant

of the sacred

In the desert Tabernacle

the house of Yahweh

light is furnished

with an ornate Menorah

crafted with stems and branches

with cups resembling

almond blossoms

the base having three feet

for it is Elohim

who always upholds them

in Judah Macabee’s sojourn  

miracle light sustained

when times were darkest

since then light

is brought into homes

and hearts

initiating a remembering

a choosing

a covenant

celebrating

promises

and faithfulness

Let there be light