God, the Terrible God

by Lawrence Bush

God, the Terrible God
is on the move
and will again besiege my soul
from sundown to sundown

but I’ve gone shopping
and stockpiled my favorite snacks
with which
to withstand the onslaught

I will nibble on a pretzel
to reward myself
for the love I have shown my children

I will break off three pieces of chocolate
to reward myself
for the clever lines I have written

I will pour whole milk over whole-grain cereal
to reward myself
for the kindness I’ve shown to insects and mice

I will peel and section an orange
to reward myself
for my diligent struggle against entropy and sloth

And I will survive!
unchastened
unmoved

with all of my walls and ramparts
intact.

Lawrence Bush is the author of American Torah Toons: 54 Illustrated Commentaries.