Moses Poem by Gert Strydom

The people are fed up
with eating manna
which is like getting
putu porridge every day
and somewhere it passes
being nice
and they want some meat
to roast on the coals.

The scouts sneak back
to were we camp
and only two are convinced
that we can win the battle
and can conquer a country
where there is milk and honey.

The others are sure
that we will come undone
against giants of ten feet ten
and we have to find another way
even if it’s through the desert.

Still the cloud glows hot at dusk
where it hangs above the camp
and I see red,
orange and pink colours.

The staff is sturdy in my hand
and there is silence at night
and I see God’s stars
appearing one after the other
against the heavenly sky

while I wonder
what to do with these stubborn people
since the desert is hot and dry.