Floating on a flooded river
In a flimsy papyrus basket
A smile on his face
One tiny butterfly on his nose

The Pharaoh’s garden
Crawling beneath a bush
Grubby cheeks and chin
Cradling a garter snake

Plains of Midian
A lowly shepherd’s garb
His soft calls and ragged beard
Protecting sheep from wolves

Now

Israelites before
Egyptians behind
Bitter sea menacing his vision
One man stands

Face lined and craggy
Eyes hiding away in caves
Mouth a crack in the desert
Below his mountain of a nose

Protector no more
With God behind him
He is the river
The Pharaoh

The wolf.