January 19–25 ❘ Cain
Cain
From the beginning,
he was willful and always
wanting more.
Gardener that I am,
I hoped to train his nature
toward stubborn love of God
and desire for growing good.
At first, it seemed to take—
his arguments with Abel ended.
He worked the land, married well,
made outward offerings to the Lord.
But something inside was amiss,
something no mother imagines
when she gazes into newborn eyes
and heaven binds her heart
with love’s first green tendrils.
I thought I’d learned all about hard
choices and the sorrow
consequence
can deliver, but now
I am as God,
knowing good and evil
offer boughs of heavy fruit
to every hungry heart.
Read more of my poetry at www.facebook.com/latterdaysaintpoetry
Contact me at merrijane.rice@gmail.com
