The story of Cain: A poem 

Was it Cain’s crime that God preferred  

flesh over fruit? The fruit of paradise, 

perhaps, in God’s memory. And he was 

marked on his forehead. Protected  

by his sin for life. He slew. 

The shadow of jealousy is far too long 

Tormenting the wretched. It keeps growing 

like cancer eating the soul. 

We can worship and we can pray.  

But there is no absolution 

for crime. There is a common place for sin 

It is damnation. Even forgiveness must be earned 

It is not just granted. Does God forgive? 

This paradise was split in two, even before Adam 

And he was loyal to Eve over God

Was that a crime? 

What is the yardstick to measure crime in God’s eyes? 

Even loyalty can be split open, becoming a forked tongue 

How do we repent? 

Does repentance prevent retribution. 

Can remorse be the morse code for forgiveness? 

Did Adam realise? Did Cain fail to foresee? 

There are too many fruit in this age 

And we don’t realise or foresee 

Was it Cain’s crime that God preferred 

flesh over fruit? Or was it deeper? 

Cain said: “I can”. Who was disabled?