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.
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
Yet
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
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
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
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
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