Matthew Ellis

Matthew Ellis (he/him) is a queer poet living in Columbus, Ohio. His first collection, Little Heresies, is due out in September 2026 by Wayfarer Books. With a background in chemistry, he spends his time teaching yoga and following creative pursuits in music and writing. To keep up with his work, you can follow him on Instagram (@matthewellismusic3) or visit his website (www.MatthewEllisContemplation.com).

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The Exodus

By cloud, by fire,

the people fled,

crossing the Red Sea.

Walls of water

on their right hand

and on their left.

By a strong east wind,

their feet tread dry ground.

It just goes to show

the lengths to which a zealot's

belief will take them,

and the dangers of faith.

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Manna, Rock Water, Amalek

If only it were true,

these honey wafers

manifested from dew

in the predawn light.

That one could strike

a rock, and water

pour forth. Or smite

enemies with upraised hands.

All of it for a faithless

and grumbling people

while there are blameless

who starve, thirst, and whither.

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Commandments

The moment we've all been waiting for:

The rule book, the law—the ten commandants!

The LORD your God is an insecure god—treat Him as your favorite!

The LORD your God is a jealous god—make no idols, and worship none but Him!

The LORD your God is an arrogant god—take not His name in vain!

The LORD your God is a weary god—keep holy the seventh day, and rest!

The LORD your God is a patriarchal god—honor your parents, even if they dishonor you!

The LORD your God is a disciplinarian god—do not murder, commit adultery, steal, bear false witness, or covet!

And there are other laws, of course.

Laws of altars—of earth or stone,

but not hewn stone.

Laws of slaves—The separation of families,

and the selling of daughters.

Rules surrounding murder,

and killing those who curse their parents.

Of striking slaves

and pregnant women.

The value of human life: 30 shekels of silver.

Laws of restitution—falling in pits

and stealing livestock.

Laws of social justice—seducing the virgin

and killing the sorceress.

Lending money to the poor,

and charging no interest.

Not oppressing the sojourner.

Laws of the Sabbath—resting the land

every seven years.

Unleavened bread.

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The Bottomless, Bland Meal-Prep Bucket

You're still eating manna,

that mystic dew grain

tasting of cake baked with oil.

I would complain, too.

Give me the cucumbers,

and the melons.

Leeks and onions,

garlic.

Instead, you gave them quail,

not the fish or the vegetables,

but a thing no one asked for.

And with it,

plague.

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Laws Against Eating Blood

The LORD your God is a vampyric god,

lusting after the blood—

Thou shall not eat of it!

For the life of every creature is its blood:

Its blood is its life,

and the LORD your God has a hunger,

a thirst yet to be sated.

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