Yahweh trudged in the desert dust behind his patient beasts
thinking deep blood thoughts about some future sacrifice
while dourly anticipating that some dwellers there might pay the price
to provide him with cooked altar meats for later feasts.
And such they did provide, under a covenant that would bind
with all the paraphernalia of temples, arks and tents,
developing a net of varied beliefs that stretched,  immense,
where later forced conversions spread wide to embrace mankind.

Reckoning no variant from their destined path would satisfy,                                       
and despite the schisms that grew within their own belief,                          
they took up sword and torch to ravage, kill and burn                     
with the overwhelming intent their single way to clarify                                   
no matter what other nation or tribe they brought to grief                
if it meant easy paths to the paradise they could earn.                                          


The cry was always, With us or against us,
worship our god, or you will perish thus.