August 2015
I have been married for over 50 years; my children are grown and my grandchildren trump just about everything else. I am Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at the University of Louisville; my specializations are eastern and southern Africa, gender and ethnicity. My last field research was out of my area; I was in Kyrgyzstan on a grant and studied the confluence of ethnicity and two versions of Islam. I should note that I am a reasonably observant Jew and have always had an interest in an examination of religious practices. I have published about 16 poems over the years; anyone who is really interested just needs to ask.
W O M E N I N T H E O L D T E S T A M E N T
P A R T O N E
P A R T O N E
The Witch of Endor
So Saul ....came to the woman at night, And he said to her, “Please divine for me ....”
I Samuel 28:8
By the time he came to me,
I was living on reputation.
But before him,
I was a see-er growing
in my power, skill and medicine.
Throughout the land
my beauty enhanced my renown
with an aura of bright, magical light
in blazing hair.
My spells and potions gave life
to those in need of my special help,
which came freely
from the spirits who give strength.
But then he came and asked for the shade,
who wanted to rest,
to be done with prophecy.
I warned him against this scheme, but he
would not desist.
The shade came and pronounced doom
and repute for all eternity.
And so it was.
Deenah
Genesis 34
I am the desert princess,
daughter of Leah, but like
all other desert women,
owned by father and brothers.
Welcomed to the town, meeting
the people of the place, who
were not like S’dom, but made
us kindly welcome for rest,
And the city’s prince came out
to meet us and to propose.
No one asked me, but his gilt
face glowed in my heart and mind.
So princess and prince, desert
and city met from the bright
of dawn to the cool of dusk
and from dusk to the new dawn.
Coming together, we were
a wadi in full flood; we
showed our selves to each other
and basked in our shining light.
Again
No one asked me but his guilt
shone in my face. Levi
and Shimon read it right and,
angered on their own behalf.
Their control destroyed, they sought
to dam the wadi’s flower,
slaughter and create chaos,
but the desert princess left.
Vashti
The Book of Esther
I graced his court with beauty and charm,
convincing other wives: take the form
of obedience and work your wills.
His parties turned courtiers into
sycophants, drunk with no power, who
longed to ogle and leer at his household.
Mine were decorous, open to all,
to toasting our freedom from their calls.
Yet, when he called, I would go, as asked.
But I grew tired of the charade, and so,
he was in his cups and called, although
I was drinking with the court women.
He said come!
I said No!
We reveled in my release, but he
heeded his satraps’ fear that we
would say the same to all their demands.
As absolute men are wont to do,
he threw me out and sought a new
consort to make him feel powerful.
Well suited to sit on the chair,
She will comfort him, comb his hair
and achieve working her will on him,
while I go my own way.
Esther
The Book of Esther
Named for the goddess, but not her, yet.
Miss Persia, known only for beauty.
Serious mistake, but how could they know?
So I came to the king’s seat, combing
his beard, stroking ego, asking no boon,
more pleasing than the others, waiting.
And when the time came, I waged war, like
my namesake, using love as a spear,
defeating challengers who wished ill.
When the sun set, they knew who I was;
I strode across the landscape, wreaking
havoc for all who would do us harm.
Gibbets were full and Agag’s progeny
filled them all. I had my way
and they learned I am still powerful.
Guarding those who need me, called by my
uncle, I am at their side, always.
And Amalek will never prevail.
So Saul ....came to the woman at night, And he said to her, “Please divine for me ....”
I Samuel 28:8
By the time he came to me,
I was living on reputation.
But before him,
I was a see-er growing
in my power, skill and medicine.
Throughout the land
my beauty enhanced my renown
with an aura of bright, magical light
in blazing hair.
My spells and potions gave life
to those in need of my special help,
which came freely
from the spirits who give strength.
But then he came and asked for the shade,
who wanted to rest,
to be done with prophecy.
I warned him against this scheme, but he
would not desist.
The shade came and pronounced doom
and repute for all eternity.
And so it was.
Deenah
Genesis 34
I am the desert princess,
daughter of Leah, but like
all other desert women,
owned by father and brothers.
Welcomed to the town, meeting
the people of the place, who
were not like S’dom, but made
us kindly welcome for rest,
And the city’s prince came out
to meet us and to propose.
No one asked me, but his gilt
face glowed in my heart and mind.
So princess and prince, desert
and city met from the bright
of dawn to the cool of dusk
and from dusk to the new dawn.
Coming together, we were
a wadi in full flood; we
showed our selves to each other
and basked in our shining light.
Again
No one asked me but his guilt
shone in my face. Levi
and Shimon read it right and,
angered on their own behalf.
Their control destroyed, they sought
to dam the wadi’s flower,
slaughter and create chaos,
but the desert princess left.
Vashti
The Book of Esther
I graced his court with beauty and charm,
convincing other wives: take the form
of obedience and work your wills.
His parties turned courtiers into
sycophants, drunk with no power, who
longed to ogle and leer at his household.
Mine were decorous, open to all,
to toasting our freedom from their calls.
Yet, when he called, I would go, as asked.
But I grew tired of the charade, and so,
he was in his cups and called, although
I was drinking with the court women.
He said come!
I said No!
We reveled in my release, but he
heeded his satraps’ fear that we
would say the same to all their demands.
As absolute men are wont to do,
he threw me out and sought a new
consort to make him feel powerful.
Well suited to sit on the chair,
She will comfort him, comb his hair
and achieve working her will on him,
while I go my own way.
Esther
The Book of Esther
Named for the goddess, but not her, yet.
Miss Persia, known only for beauty.
Serious mistake, but how could they know?
So I came to the king’s seat, combing
his beard, stroking ego, asking no boon,
more pleasing than the others, waiting.
And when the time came, I waged war, like
my namesake, using love as a spear,
defeating challengers who wished ill.
When the sun set, they knew who I was;
I strode across the landscape, wreaking
havoc for all who would do us harm.
Gibbets were full and Agag’s progeny
filled them all. I had my way
and they learned I am still powerful.
Guarding those who need me, called by my
uncle, I am at their side, always.
And Amalek will never prevail.
©2015 Edwin S. Segal