Ki Tetzei

Elisha ben Abuyah watched a lad
ascend a tree to score a free-range meal
obedient to please his hungry dad
dual mitzvot surely meant reward for real
the Deuteronomistic quid pro quo
seemed indefensible as he fell, dead
two paths diverged; Elisha couldn't go
the pious route. He hunted proofs instead.
No earthly tally always works out right
the wicked prospers, and the pious bleeds
no father could forget this awful sight;
he saw no prize for his son's pious deeds.
The metaphoric ledger just won't sum
without more columns for the World to Come.