Passover

fathers forgotten,

nation oppressed,

they built the empire

that broke their backs.

blood spilled,

filled the river

as mothers cried,

"deliver us!"

then...

blood.

frogs.

lice.

pestilence.

hail.

locusts.

darkness.

then, the deepest horror of all.

a choice:

obey, and your sons shall live.

refuse, and they will die.

tonight.

a new ritual:

choose a lamb. nurture it, place your hands upon it...

kill it.

take it in.

innocent blood will mark your choice --

streaked across your doorposts, for all to see.

Yaweh swept through that night

as the Angel of Death.

passed over the humble,

gave grace to the repentant,

dealt misery to the hardened,

and freed all who obeyed.

all who sought refuge in the blood of the lamb.