checkpoint

to the checkpoint at the entrance to Nablus
Jesus is coming

MAGAVNIK blocks the way with a machine gun
looks almost obscenely
access to zone A is closed
speaks politely
even the children of God, even the prophets and judges
Rosh Hashanah, why are you bothering people?
apples with honey are waiting on the tables
Allah has just arrived
I didn't miss it either

to the checkpoint at the exit from Jenin
Maat approaches, the sun is shining on her back
gilds the feather in her hair
but he won't be on the scales

Maat is stripped naked for testing
separated from others by a screen and a dusty curtain
climb with gloves
looking for explosives
Ra's daughter joins ISIS
(there Isis squints at her friendly)

at the checkpoint to the world below
other gods go in different directions
look sad
smile crookedly
but they don't go down
no more strength

god-making crisis