A Prayer to Jonah’s God

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