Aaron Reeves is a doctoral student of Sociology, and the co-creator of ‘Crumpets and Decaff’, a publication and website that seeks to promote the production and exploration of British Mormon cultural products, including but not limited to: poetry, short stories, personal essays, art, photography, music, satire, sculpture and transcripts for sermons. Crumpets and Decaff is a wonderful example of a truly international LDS creative culture, and we at D&S are excited to see this kind of enterprise, creating a place for art informed by Mormon consciousness and experience.
Aaron regularly blogs at By Common Consent among other places, and we’re very pleased to present this wonderful example of his creative work.
Moses and the Rock
Pressing his lips to the floor – tasting the bitter,
hallowed dust of the Tabernacle – repeating endlessly
the name of God. Fragrant almonds, olive oil
and sweet spices ascend while his breath
burned his flesh with every sacred syllable.
The face of Jahweh on the floor and on his skin.
Blinking, Moses moved into the sunlight, raising a hand
to shade his eyes; he stumbles at the steps
of the threshold of the House of God.
Waiting for his failing frame to steady
(matted, gritty hair hangs at his shoulders)
his spotted hands grip the splintered staff.
Remembering Egypt’s serpents and their river
of blood, Moses shakes before the people;
their uncertainty and their need for vigour, for food.
Aaron, frail and weak, moves
Against the angry shouts that confront him.
Moses parts the sea of gaunt faces,
Tired and hungry, as his halting step,
Struggling through the scorching sand,
Silences the cries of fallen prophet.
But they must follow him, and do.
‘See now you rebels’, Moses screamed,
‘As we get water from this rock for you!’
The rod cracked as he struck the rock,
Falling to floor. Pressing his fingers
Deep into the dirt as the world swayed
And rolled. ‘mayim! mayim!’
And Moses lay there, drenched
In the water of Life, laughing.
Very strong. More so than an historical novel or commentary, this poetic retelling of the OT translates it … correctly.
Love the vivid imagery. I desperately want to deep-condition Moses’ hair.
Really struck by the emotional/spiritual tension you capture here. We so romanticize these Bible stories that we miss the chance to feel their grittiness. I especially appreciate Moses laughing at the end–that moment where faith becomes knowledge–it cannot be described directly, only from the side, as you do here, perfectly.
The lines about repeating the name of God reminded me of Myla Goldberg’s _Bee Season_. If you haven’t read it, do so without delay.
Aaron, thank you for sharing this here!
Is it just me or does being drenched in the water of life actually get one wet?