Forgive us, O Lord God of the Hebrews,
for feeding Jonah to a large-mouthed whale.
We sacrificed for You more than he did.
He hid in the hull, snoozing like a babe.
We prayed to Hercules of ancient days,
whose double pillars, emerald and gold,
always guide us off the coast near Cadiz.
But our gods will not chase after a fool.
Please let us not drown for throwing Jonah
into the open gullet of this beast,
and may it vomit him obediently
near Nineveh or wherever You wish.
—Karen D’Anselmi
Dear Reader,
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