EKPHRASTIC POETRY

A Reluctant Moses Took the Staff

Despite not getting all the answers

“God Appears to Moses in Burning Bush”. Eugène Pluchart, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

While the Burning Bush blazed,
the God of bright light appeared
giving Moses a divine lecture
and a story that will last forever.

A humble man dressed in rags,
Moses had few credentials — but was chosen
to lead a nation out of bondage
against an Egyptian superpower.

Moses wanted his people free,
a land flowing with milk and honey,
but quite honestly, he didn't see himself
as the person to do it — he was not a prophet or a sage
or charismatic man with a silver tongue.

I'm out of place being a hero,
to be honest — I'm afraid
of the Mighty Pharoah.
Even though I have your backing,
I don't think I'm a match for his
enormous power — and besides
I don't even know your name.

A lightning bolt stretched across the sky
and God said — I am what I am and what I will be.