BEHOLD, O Lord, Thy faithful people! The father slays his child, the dear one; The mother has her task accomplished, And sends to Thee her hallowed offspring. Across their knees the parents brandish The keen-edged knives for work of slaughter; The mother ties the child, The father makes the gash; They say a sacrificial blessing, For they are met to die together, And to make known Thy holy Oneness And one announces to the other, "This day we keep a feast of union!" Their children all they immolate, As free-will gifts, as bonds of love. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...I'VE NOTHING TO OFFER by DAVID IGNATOW THE CROSS by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON TO THE MEMORY OF INEZ MILHOLLAND by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON THE RING AND THE CASTLE by AMY LOWELL SORROWING LOVE by KATHERINE MANSFIELD DILIGENCE IS TO MAGIC AS PROGRESS IS TO FLIGHT by MARIANNE MOORE |