Joshua
Young Joshua stood above the battle
He watched a while but soon was bored of blood
He asked old Moses when he’d try his mettle
In God’s unspoken name to fight for good.
Grass whipped round the prophet’s ankles sighing
Not loud enough to mask the clash below
His eyes, deep wells, filled up, the tears belying
The faith that hurled his sons against the foe.
And on that hilltop Moses time-worn hands
Held Joshua’s smooth face close to his own
He whispered of his people’s promised lands
And all the love and mercy God has shown.
As if on cue a cry of victory
Rose from the chosen on the blood-soaked plain
And Joshua’s eyes grew bright with glory
Of this last and latest triumph’s gain.
Together the young man and the prophet
Began to pick their way down from the hill
The young man leapt thinking nothing of it
The elder limped and prayed for strength of will.
Young Joshua stood above the battle
He watched a while but soon was bored of blood
He asked old Moses when he’d try his mettle
In God’s unspoken name to fight for good.
Grass whipped round the prophet’s ankles sighing
Not loud enough to mask the clash below
His eyes, deep wells, filled up, the tears belying
The faith that hurled his sons against the foe.
And on that hilltop Moses time-worn hands
Held Joshua’s smooth face close to his own
He whispered of his people’s promised lands
And all the love and mercy God has shown.
As if on cue a cry of victory
Rose from the chosen on the blood-soaked plain
And Joshua’s eyes grew bright with glory
Of this last and latest triumph’s gain.
Together the young man and the prophet
Began to pick their way down from the hill
The young man leapt thinking nothing of it
The elder limped and prayed for strength of will.