Cost.

Cost.

So Sam rose early, saddled his donkey,

and took his children up the mountain.

And his children said

“Where is the offering, our father,

and who is this god we praise?”

“You are the offering, my children.”

Then hail of fire descended

and bright blood flowed until all were gone.

Sam sighed, thought he would pray, 

wept a little as he descended the mountain.

A congregation waited below.

“It’s hard,” he said, “so hard.

But what can we do?

We don’t wish it but we must worship.”

And the great congregation shouted “Amen”.

First published in New Verse News as a response the murder of 17 students at Parkland and the response of Republican lawmakers, the President and the NRA.