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H. Arlequin
Member
since 1999-08-23
Posts 210


0 posted 1999-11-15 11:13 PM


Bilhah

I Propagation

I was the youngest of his four
as fair as Rachel in her prime,
yet never once these many years
could Yakov say, "I do adore
your lovely face, its smile, the time
we spend alone, the thought endears

its unique place", no passion shown,
no cruel hands or loud demands.
It was as if his virgin soul--
to duty bound, the mind on loan,
an envoy home from holy lands
in cowl and shroud--reverts its role,

to spite the function of the flesh.
A camel mare might fare as well,
when heavy her impending foal,
she serves them best, if masters mesh
her will to theirs, lest fates dispel
high hopes or breach a fecund goal.


II Perseverance

I am the last, an ancient crone
that time forgot though she hid not,
could not ignore affront to pride.
Allow his eldest to atone?
Unthinkable! His lust did not,
would not his father's rights abide,

the blessing only one commends
when laying hands upon the head,
Reuben resigned, deed unshriven.
Two sisters truce; and time befriends
the distance twixt two tombs, yet dead
therein, reside the unforgiven.

Though it sustains an acrid fire--
too fierce in life to lay aside,
consuming dread and love, until
a glimpse decries that angry pyre--
rage dies. Ashes confide,
no end to pride in Yakov's kiln.


III Prophecy

A love for life, the perfect mate,
her first born lad, his coat I made,
from prison well, to Egypt sold,
the dream fortold at pharoah's gate,
a prince obeyed, sin's debt prepaid
so Yakov's seed see Him unfold

that seen afar by Abraham.
The son thought lost, salvation brings
from years of drought to Isaac's clan.
Ten dozen years plus ten, I am
in pharoah's cart, to Goshen's springs
to raise my tent by Joseph's hand.

Behind, I leave: this promised land,
revered the graves of those who heard
the word of faith and followed here;
the wives whose sixty-six at hand
to Egypt go; and Bethel's word
for Israel as dawn came near.

Shalom, sweet land, dry this sad tear,
we shall return the appointed year!


--H. Arlequin
.
.
.
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Women of the Word
Poems From the Goober tree http://nathoo.wustl.edu/goober_tree.htm

[This message has been edited by H. Arlequin (edited 11-15-1999).]

© Copyright 1999 H. Arlequin - All Rights Reserved
Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

1 posted 1999-11-15 11:28 PM


Beautiful, H.A. Well done again!....hmmmm...seems I need to get one of those rubber stampers for you too!

WELL DONE MR. ARLEQUIN!!!

(these rubber stampers are getting expensive)

------------------
Denise


snow in summer
Member
since 1999-08-28
Posts 67

2 posted 1999-11-22 04:15 PM


Am really enjoying this series HA. I don't know which is my favorite!
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