Wednesday, September 19, 2018

heaven knows*

by Jen Hunt


heaven
knows


what can
settle


on a
path


round
a lake


*Poem conceived to be placed on four signs around the lake path.

Yet

By Jennifer Hunt

Yet
is not
yes,
but
a com-
ma

to
cling to
a
space
for
rest
be-

tween
polar
views.
Yet

is
a fli-
cker
of
light
at dark
hall’s

end
the mo-
ment be-
fore
the min-
or key

moves
The ful-
crum,
the plane,
the cata-
pult,

same.
Or the
shiver which
cues
just be-
fore
love's
refrain.

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Long, Lost Huldah, or How it All Went Down

By Jen Hunt

Huldah, Huldah, Huldah
How’ve you been? It’s been so long--
How’s your husband, how’s your family
How’s your prophesying gone?

Must be lonesome
This forthtelling
As the sole she-gig in town
No one’d fault you holding
Bitterness o’er
How things all went
Down…

How,
An uncommonly good king
Once the old-found Law was read
Sent you five court men to inquire
What God meant by what it said
Yet,
In our memories
You lag behind
Small taters like Jabez

Like the book the priests discovered
Your name's been in short supply
Or, if mentioned,
Moderated, as
A concede to dark times

Should I, then, like Good Josiah
Rend my garments
At this slight?
Or summon down the wrath of God
To try and make it right?

I can almost guess your answer
Reading 2 Kings 22
For, going there, it’s plain
“Thus says the Lord”
–alone--
Gripped you

Still, I won’t forget your title
And I won’t forget your nerve
And I won’t forget Josiah
Took a woman at God’s word


Monday, September 17, 2018

Acorn

By Jen Hunt

Acorn
Lolling on the path
Beneath the autumn sun
Why has your tiny hat come off
When mine has just gone on?


Saturday, September 15, 2018

Burning Bush *


By Jen Hunt in honor of Lashawnda Mccarty

Burning Bush--
How else to describe a woman
Who glows from within
Who never expires
No matter the wind?

A burning bush
Isn’t known for what it destroys
Or ash left behind
But for light without soot
From an endless fuel

A burning bush stays
That’s one way to glow,
Stay still
Or
Move--
That works, too
For that, there's
God on the Go
Fire, then
Cloud, then
Fire some more
(Whatever the need
God’s there, core and skin)

No, the burning bush isn’t known
For ash left behind
But for energy sure
That never expires
In truth, the burning bush
Is not remembered
It. Just. Is.
Because Jehovah is
The I Am Who I Am

Lashawnda--
Whether she stays
Or goes--
Carries that same fire inside
Ever-strong, solid and
Fueled from within
She. Just. Is.
So,

Be Bless
My cherished friend
Enjoy the ride!

Jesus’ Truly,
Jen


*(Be Bless, revised, on further reflection)

Friday, September 7, 2018

Xerxianity

By Jen Hunt, with nod, if my memory is correct, to Charis Hart [someone whose site I can no longer find], for introducing me to the term Xerxianity.

If you’re invited to a party
You really ought to go
If you’re dragged by seven eunichs
It’s awkward to say no, but

Say the drinking’s been unbridled
For days and days on end
And the stench of spilt wine wretches
And the months-long revelry rends
There’s nothing you can answer
That won’t be misunderstood
When King Xerxes bids you visit
To impress his sloshed man-brood

Have empathy for Vashti
Before you deem her rude
Or call her “No” a warning
On what women mustn’t do
The Bible here is silent
There’s no mention of her flaws
Who are we to judge her
For crossing unwrit laws?

Xerxes was no model for
Husbands, kings or men
How about we all revisit
Esther’s story line again?
The book omits God’s name
But God’s providence exudes
Despite foolish plotting
To hush women or kill Jews

Yes, have empathy for Vashti
Before you deem her rude
Or call her “No” a lesson
On what women ought not do...
Xerxianity alone is all that’s
Threatened by her coup