"Counting God" by Patrick Murfin

Counting God
“God said to Moses, ‘I Am What Am’” -- Exodus 3:14

The assured voice on NPR spoke of the man
who made his lifework to count and name
all the gods of India --
every deity of tribe or clan or village,
each rock and dunghill spirit,
all of the many names for every apparition.
After many years he had to swear defeat,
no one can count and name them all --
there are more gods than Hindus.

Jews and Muslims are appalled
and vow there is but one God
to die or kill for.
Christians quite concur,
but opt to slice Him into Three,
then bind Him back together.
Some Amerinds know each tree and rock,
each crawling thing
is and has the Spirit.
And there are Buddhists who do not care
if God be one or man
or even if he be at all.

This quibble over name and number
engages a murderous passion,
a lethal zeal and worse --
stands between Is What Is,
and us, restless and lonesome.