Oh Ishmael! Welcome home, come inside! 

This house, your origin, where you were born. 

Yes, "brother" though our mothers are not one. 

We're brothers since Our father binds our blood. 

It's twenty years since you left home, and more. 

Our childhoods barely crossed, we're now both men. 

I was a boy and wished to walk your steps. 

Let's reacquaint here in our father's house. 

Our father plans a day tomorrow secretly. 

Perhaps a meal we never had for just us three.

 **

Come Isaac, come my son, my only son 

My son, the one I love, my only son 

We're going out today to meet the LORD. 

Yes, Father shall my half-brother come too? 

Yes, and my servant, and the donkey too. 

As our day ends, we'll see the LORD provide 

Yes alright Father. What then shall I pack? 

Wood. Flint and tinder. Bring the killing knife. 

And Father shall I bring a sacrificial lamb? 

No, Son. You must and I must go just as we are.

 **

Dear Abraham my son in whom I trust, 

Remember I'm your God in whom you trust. 

I have commanded you. And now you must. 

Yes, Father, you'll provide for us, I know. 

My heart stands still and waits while You instruct. 

But... no, my Father... Nothing, never mind. 

My heart stands still; you will not fail me now. 

I need... my servants pack provisions now. 

We'll leave... Oh yes, we'll pack and leave right straight away. 

I'll tell my son, Yes I'll tell Isaac of our day.

 ** 

My father's eyes are great, and old but sure. 

His words to me are timeless and profound. 

I love to go with him on road or trail. 

Last time we saw a fox, it chased a hare. 

He spoke of it, and how God made it so. 

We ate some cakes upon a meadow then. 

We drank fresh water from a stream that rushed 

It tickled me, within my ears and nose. 

I hope today we find another stream. On walks 

We'll see a meadow, and a hare and fox.

  **

The master says he wants again to be away.  

I guess What's on his mind. The packs. The boys. 

I wonder if the boys will learn it now. 

The ritual of ancient God today. 

The master knows the rituals of God. 

He knows them better than does anyone. 

The master hears the very words of God. 

Incredible. How can he be so blessed? 

What does God's voice sound like? Just like a man, who cries? 

God asks for soot of flesh but lo I know not why.

  **

Come, Abraham, come now it's time to go! 

Hear, Abraham! Hear now My voice and go! 

Go, Abraham, you are prepared to go. 

I'm ready, Father. With my sons and aide. 

I listen for your voice as we go on. 

On closer to our destination's end. 

I know not how, but yet I know how to. 

Your ways are perfect, Father; You I trust. 

I understand. You'll not betray your chosen one. 

LORD Bless my fam'ly; Bless me as I slay my son.

  **

My master's Jovial and sings each day! 

I don't know how he stays ever so high. 

I do prefer this fair demeanor to 

A man whose harshened way is mean or small. 

How solemn does he pat the beast and lash 

The bundles packed today for this long road. 

Just one day's trip, no feast for anyone. 

Perhaps the master will reveal to us 

What's on the master's mind. Perhaps we'll join someone 

And therefore we have no need of more provision.

  **

We diligently unload all the packs. 

My father bids me build the altar now. 

We left the servant waiting by the road 

Ishmael and the servant wait for us. 

We walk on to a sacred seeming place. 

He looks up skyward while I work my task. 

I brought the wood, so much I scarce could walk. 

I know now what my father means to do. 

I'm piling stones, and carefully the wood. 

The ancient ritual is like a solemn vow. 

My father calls to me and bids come near now.

  **

My father speaks the very words of God. 

He speaks and lo, I hear it in my heart. 

The will of God is clear to me and him. 

We both know well the price of sin is blood. 

I want to say that this is jest, but no. 

My flesh is not the kind that should please God 

When burned and prayed on for heav'n's harsh release. 

My Father, let me up, and let me free! 

I know how my eyes look, relentlessly they know 

That they hold terror in a grasp that won't let go.

  **

My Isaac, lift your eyes. Take hold my hand. 

You are unbound. Rise up and weep no more. 

See now the ram's horns in a thicket bush. 

This ram will be our sacrifice today 

Just as we learned to do in ritual. 

Passed down from age to age and sacred so. 

Dear Isaac calm your quaking breast and rise. 

O Father, mercy, thank you for my son. 

O Father, thanks, my father spared me in this place. 

In your great mercy, Father I'll not doubt your grace.

  **

So Father, are we going home? In truth? 

And was this God's will done today, in truth? 

I would be on my way to journey home. 

I feel I'm tired, I want to have a rest. 

Yes let's go now, I'm ready now to go. 

I'm not thirsty, no. I must press on now. 

I'll press on home, I'll rest in time, not now. 

O Father... Um I want... I... I don't know. 

I'll go to my own home to end this tiring day. 

Ishmael and I may talk of these things 'long the way.

  **

The master is content again. I'm glad. 

It's better having a contented house. 

The boy... the boy seems damaged just a bit. 

Not physically hurt but deep within. 

The boy is still. I wonder if he learned 

The dark parts of the ritual today. 

He seems so deep in thought. So deep, that boy. 

Perhaps he will be great as men can be. 

My fortune is to be surrounded by great men.  

A fortune one may not demand I have been giv'n.