A33 Jacob Meets Esau Poem by Simple Simon

Jacob saw Esau with men
So, he divided his children
'mongst Leah, Rachel, his wives
And the other two, his slaves.

All the slaves and their children
Were kept in the front portion,
Others at the rear section,
For their proper protection.

Jacob went ahead of them,
Bowing down all seven times,
As he approached his brother,
Who was coming close faster.

Esau threw his arms 'round him,
And kissed him so many times.
From their eyes tears flowed.
'Who’re they? ' Esau asked.

'They're my wives and my children
Whom, to me, God has given, '
Jacob introduced each one,
Both his wives and all children.

Esau asked, 'What about
The groups that I had en way met? '
Jacob said, 'It was to gain
Your favor back, once again.'

Esau told, 'Enough I’ve;
Keep whatever things you've.'
Jacob said, 'Please do accept
The gifts for you, I’ve brought.'

Jacob went on urging him,
Until he accepted them.
Esau said then, 'Let us leave.
In advance, I’ll move.'

Jacob agreed and said,
'The children are tired.
So are all the animals
And their young ones.'

'If they’re driven hard,
By one day, the entire herd,
May die out of exhaustion,
They need proper attention.'

'Don't worry about me.
You may go ahead of me.
I’ll follow you slowly,
And bring them all safely.'

Esau said, 'So, let me then
Leave here some of my men.
But Jacob said, 'No need
For it, please go ahead.'

Back to Edom, Esau went.
But to Sukkoth, Jacob went.
A house, he built, for himself there,
And for livestock, a shelter.

Jacob went, on his return,
Slowly to the place, Canaan.
He set up his camp very near
The City Shechem's border.

He built one more altar,
And named it after
God El, the Lord of Israel,
The one who’s eternal.