Today in Israel we see once more
The archetypal, psycho-social fight
‘Tween prophets, priests and kings, regarding law,
Political power, and meaning of wrong and right.
Unlike before, however, prophets now
Tend to be secular, though no less humane –
Indeed, their democratic ethics endow
The kin of Esau with equal rights, not pain.
Bigots alone imagine God prefers
Zealots who think the Palestinians bad
To those Israelis whose behaviour infers
That justice and freedom should by all be had.
If living, Isaiah – that prophetic star –
Would lead the Friday vigil in Sheikh Jarrah.
Jerusalem
29 March 2023