Like A Diamond In The Sky

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  “Under the stars,” she repeated. “I never noticed the stars before. I always thought of them as great big diamonds that belonged to someone. Now they frighten me. They make me feel that it was all a dream, all my youth.”  “It was a dream,” said John quietly.  “Everybody’s youth is a dream, a form of chemical madness.”  “How pleasant then to be insane!” —“The Diamond as Big as the Ritz” A Short Story By F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896–1940)

Numbers 16-24: the Poem

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Well on their way in their wandering,
Korah and sons all rebel;
God judges the men of those houses
to be an example for Israel.

The next day those people's own grumble
'gainst Moses and Aaron was heard;
God judged all that loud congregation
who lifted a contrary word.

The priesthood received confirmation
"Every devoted thing yours;"
Then purified through the Red Heifer,
The unclean and clean are made sure.

Miriam dies in the desert,
the people assemble, complain;
Moses in anger strikes rock-ward,
Instead of just speaking again.

Edom refuses their passage,
And Aaron, he dies in his place;
Then tension with Canaan's king Arad
caused Israel to search for God's face.

The people again gripe and grumble,
God judges that lot with those snakes;
But looking to Moses' Bronze Serpent
Brings life in those poisonous stakes.

The journey continues with battles,
the Lord giving great victory;
And Balaam says backwardly curses
Despite all he says or can see.

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