He was a wanted man. The police
were after him for smiting an Egyptian
who was beating an Israelite.
Before, a Prince of Egypt,
now, a slave on the run.
He stole one of Pharoah’s horses
and rode for the hills into Midian territory,
where he could hide from everyone
but God, who was keeping an eye on him.

One day, as he rode around The Mountain,
he saw a burning bush;
it did not burn itself out.
From out of the fire came a voice.

“Moses, Moses, I am the God of your father,
the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
You’ve heard of me, maybe?”

“From grandmother tales my nurse told me.”

“I have chosen you to lead the Israelites out of bondage.”

“Why me?” Moses stammered.

“I have a gut feeling about you.”

“I don’t think I want to get involved,” Moses told God.

“It doesn’t matter what you think.
It only matters what you choose.”

“Do I have a choice?”

“I gave everyone free will,” God answered;
The bush was burning still;
God was waiting for an answer.

‘Who am I to say no to God,’ Moses thought.
“When do I begin?” he asked.

“You’ve begun. On your way; zie gezunt.”

“I don’t speak Yiddish.”

“O, I forgot. Go in good health.”

Before Moses began the long walk back to Egypt,
he set his horse free.
It was the first step on the road to redemption.