Jacob's Sons

Jacob's Sons

My sons! What can I say?

Should I be proud?

Ashamed?

A sister disrespected -

So they vowed to take revenge.

I'm sure you know this neighbourhood.

The gangs.

If they allowed one of their own

To be abused,

What then?

Complicated.

He had apologised,

Offered to marry her

And proposed a truce.

I shook his hand,

But men are men.

Waited their time.

Then, smiling,

Cut his throat.

Killed all the males.

Still covered in their blood

They raped their girls and swore

That it felt good.

At such a price

The current peace was bought.

They are my sons.

I haunt them in their dreams

Where, like lost sheep,

They shelter in my arms.

Comments: 9

David S. Feb 17, 2009, 4:41pm EST

This is immediately impactful, Mike! The short lines and conversational tone really help this a lot. Just super!

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Mike Ellwood Feb 17, 2009, 5:01pm EST

Thanks, David. There are some amazing stories in Genesis. You will probably have recognised this one as being based on 'The Rape of Dinah'. Reading the unedited-for-children OT as an adult gives plenty of food for thought and sheds a sometimes surprising light on all sorts of events in the modern world, not least in some of our cities and in the Middle East.

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Angela A. Feb 17, 2009, 7:46pm EST

Awesome poem!!
Thanks for posting to my group, Anythingwriting

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Sheila Deeth Feb 17, 2009, 9:43pm EST

Oh wow! Awesome interpretation of the tale, and wonderful to find the unedited, fully authorized, source.

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Peter Wimsey Feb 17, 2009, 10:53pm EST

This is a remarkable piece of writing, and of biblical exegesis.

I'm glad to have followed Sheila here.

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Bhawana 'Gather Proud Mom' Feb 18, 2009, 3:28am EST

It's a painful read,Mike...Powerful write.

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Granny Janny H. Feb 18, 2009, 5:56pm EST

I agree with Geeta.

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Tracey W. Feb 19, 2009, 7:57am EST

Wow, this one is really dark Mike. Well done all the same. Your poetry keeps growing and evolving.

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David P. Feb 28, 2009, 5:49pm EST

The human (especially male) proclivity for exacting revenge is disturbing and astounding. Your ability to sketch so much with so few lines, and emerge with something that elicits many thoughts and feelings is always impressive.

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Comments: 9

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