Poetry / Moving Night/Exodus

Moving Night/Exodus

1. The House across the Street

The house across the street
Once filled with babies and
Smells of dinner on the stove
Stands dark and empty.

Behind dark and expressionless windows
The father paced the living room
Arguing with his wife
The family troubled and full of fear.

Not knowing what else to do
But pack up and leave.
The statue of angels with broken wings
Left on the front walkway.

The mark of the Angel of Death
Above the lintel
Who sneaks in and out at night
Leaving the porch light on.

Notices appear on front windows.
Realtors put signs on the lawn.
Cars drive by &
People look.

The lives with in the house
Have moved on.
The house waits
For months, weeks, years.

Moses has led them away
Fleeing the sheriff’s glowering face,
The banker’s tight mouth,
The cold notice to vacate.

I watch and tremble
Waiting for the sign or the shadow
To pass over my house.
I have been warned.

All over town all over the country
All over the Earth
We all stand on our lawns
And wait.

For the mark on our doors.
Silent to the footsteps
Of strangers among us
We beseech you, O Lord. Save us.

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