Tradition And Apocalypse Poem by gershon hepner

TRADITION AND APOCALYPSE


Trailing close behind tradition
when its veil begins to tear and rips
are the fumes of the emission
of vox populis' apocalypse.

Etymologically the word apocalypse means "uncovering of the veil, " which suggests that the paradigm for apocalypses is that which Tamar creates when revealing her identity to Judah after having had intercourse with him while veiled. The story, as told in Genesis 38, ends with the birth of twins, once of whom, Perez, is the ancestor of David, and hence the father of apocalypse as understood both by Jews and Christians.


4/9/12 #9836