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