That strangest Holy Book, Leviticus,
Shouts out the rules, break them at your peril—
Angry Levites stick moral shivs in us,
Stone us, burn us, keep the LORD’s world sterile.
Tough task! Abomination pervades, soils
The land! Defilers, perverts prey on god!
And worse, make offerings hopelessly roiled—
Peace, guilt, sin, burnt—oats, beef, cash, lamb, the odd
Goat, even turtle-dove—good grief, you need
Theology to keep them all apart
(Though Leviticus will do). Those fierce priests
Need to eat too—parts they flame (smoke for god’s
Nose)—the rest? Rich sustenance for smiters
Too busy glaring, pointing, stoning sin
Or burning it with fire (bestowed birthright!),
To plant, to reap, to feed their own damn skins!
Biblical economy! Want to know
Who made the rules? Simple. Ask: cui bono?
(12/16/08)