Lilith: As She Is
(A Legend)

I was his first, but he didn’t like my ideas,
too independent for his tastes,
so I went away, to the east.

I sought the demons of the night, found them
and joined their company; 
they didn’t like my ideas either.

But I joined them anyway and still fared no better.
Feared and shunned by all for millennia,
hemmed in by red ribbons,

protecting the children from my glance,
ineffective amulets
guarding their souls from night dreams.

I waited, and now, in this time:

He still fears me, but she wants a sister
who can bring new ideas to her life,
and so I’m coming back.

The world I fled, my first world, is still my love.





Orpah
(Book of Ruth)

We were sisters, but different 
and yet the same.
We walked with her, by her side and
then our world shook.
When it settled, we were alone,
the three of us.
Arid paths lay in front of us,
none desireable.

Naomi said “My road is dry;
I am alone.
Go to your home and start again.”
We both said “no.”
“Go! Go,” she said; “find your new lives.
Be wives again.”

Ruth turned and said “only with you.”
I turned and said
“I love you too, but go my way.
Once was enough.
Now, my world takes on its own path.





Tamar
(Genesis 38)

I am the oasis palm, 
giving life to the sands,
rest to the weary,
succor to the sore,
peace to the fearful.

A sheik of arrogant wealth
gave me to his first son,
for his own sake, but
it was not to be;
that one did not live.

He gave me to his second
son – not for my sake, but
that one would not be 
my Levir, so he 
came to naught and died.

And so Judah was afraid,
blaming me, as men like 
to do, when facing
failure, and withheld
his remaining heir.

Now I would not be denied;
there is destiny in
oasis children,
and so he gave me 
his fourth, my first son.

I am the life giving palm,
forming future flowers,
creating new clans,
celebrated source
of dynastic lives.