Rebekah's Contemplation

Rebekah's Contemplation

May you find peace at last, released from me

Old troubled friend. Perhaps that sullenness

I knew so well, that bone-hard carapace

You hid within will crack at last and free

Your brooding soul. There was a needy man

Behind those angry eyes and there were times

When spent, exhausted in each other's arms

You'd stroke my hair and kiss my face, but then

You would retreat into that private place

Where grievances were banqueted and hurt

Embraced, your honoured guest, my delegate.

Should I feel guilt? Perhaps, but could you face

The dark and awful truth that you might be

Complicit in my fabled treachery?

Comments: 15

Mike Ellwood Feb 12, 2009, 5:39am EST

This poem is one of a cycle based on the stories about Abram and his descendants in the Book of Genesis.

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Nancy Biri Feb 12, 2009, 5:50am EST

Nice poem

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Kathy W. Feb 12, 2009, 8:44am EST

Technically: The balance, and the flow and the word choice could not be better. This one rippled--reading it out loud was a joy.

Wow! "Where grievances were banqueted and hurt / Embraced, your honoured guest, my delegate. / Should I feel guilt? Perhaps, but could you face / The dark and awful truth that you might be / Complicit in my fabled treachery?"

Mike, this really is stunning. No, really-really. It is also a stunningly apt description of the sum of many a divorce! Divorce: That "little death" we hear so much about.
Blessed be today.
Wilka

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Nikki S. Feb 12, 2009, 9:23am EST

Thanks for posting ~ Paying it forward

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Jennifer Lee Feb 12, 2009, 9:26am EST

Though I'm not familiar with the Book Of Genesis, I enjoyed your poem. It flows beautifully and I agree with Kathy above me. It's sounds lovely when read aloud. Thank you for sending me an email to read this. I look forward to reading more of your series.

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Hong G. Feb 12, 2009, 9:30am EST

well done

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(Jasper,(Disciple for Christ. w. Feb 12, 2009, 9:42am EST

Very good Mike.

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David S. Feb 12, 2009, 12:43pm EST

The extra comment was helpful, but the poem stands by itself, Mike. As always, I love your intellectual style that still manages to evoke emotions through its filter. You often remind me of W.H. Auden, though you're still yourself, too.

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Susan Budig Feb 12, 2009, 1:38pm EST

Hands down, Mike, your poetry examines the Hebrew Testament in a new light. I need to brush up on my knowledge of Rebecca, however.

Even so, I think your poem speak a universal truth.

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Granny Janny H. Feb 12, 2009, 4:55pm EST

I would buy the book of these biblical poems. I hope that you will publish them.
Featured in Poet's Weekly Muse!

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Angela A. Feb 12, 2009, 5:48pm EST

I found this work through Gather Broadcasting. And, I'm very pleased that I did!
This poem is super lovely!
I would love for you to post it to my group, Anythingwriting

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