Rachel

2nd in a series of poems about biblical characters

 

Rachel

 

Rachel always knew how to hold herself

even carrying buckets to the well and home,

the wooden yoke balanced smartly,

her shoulders feigning ease,

spine straight as a cedar,

a welcoming smile perched on full lips,

the song of her heart

playing sweetly to the sky

for all to see and hear.

 

His reflection shone back

from her one full bucket

before he dared to speak,

the young man captured by her presence

without a single word crossing either’s lips.

Her Uncle’s son stood wrapped in courage,

shimmering with intelligence,

and hers to command if she wished.

 

She was young, thrilled

to have him in thrall

to her olive-toned beauty,

his handsome face at her call,

those deep brown eyes,

spirit and ambition no less than her own,

preparing for a life together,

not for disappointment

nor for frustration,

a long and loving life.

 

She must have known

she could not marry first,

hoped in seven years

Leah would find her own someone,

a partner to stand beside beneath the starry sky,

allowing Rachel to stand proud and loved

with the man who loved her back,

but big sister worried less of men and love,

not rushing to flash her inner beauty,

not rushing to the marriage bed.

 

When Jacob took her father’s offer,

work seven further years for her

but first taking Leah for his wife

was there anywhere to turn for comfort?

Not to a sister pre-empting her,

or to her father sure of his prerogative,

or even to her love who’d not abandon her,

but cut the only deal he could,

or so he argued as he plotted

how to boost his share of goats.

 

Rachel clung to her spirit and smile

as Leah gave Jacob son after son,

waiting for her turn to come

pushing jealousy back down her throat,

but slowly, slyly, slipping

from her sister’s fond embrace,

keeping envy hid from her face.

 

When Rachel’s turn arrived

she found her willing womb

a nearly barren parcel,

and the simmering rivalry

became a rolling boil,

overflowing with angry tears,

not consoled in her first failure

her husband’s soothing off-key.

 

Jacob never loved her less,

and their joy at Joseph’s birth

brought a now rare smile

to Rachel’s face at last,

but without erasing her loss

or rekindling her sister’s love.

Her angels came with Benjamin,

her too short life

strewn with more tears

than promised by her vivacious beauty

and the bloom of youthful dreams.

 

 

 

Reviews

[J. Hampton]

I have so many read requests...I did not see this. At long last the awaited "Rachel'

I like the charactr you paint of Rachel....her resolute joy and patience, her carriage and her manner of bearing her burdon.
enjoyed you refering to Leahs' regin in the marriage bed and nursey as ....pre-emting
it marries contemporary edge of thought to scriptural custom of the day.

very smartly done ...nice imagery as well.
Can't listen as I'm at work...but I'll do so at home tonight.
The..."slideshow? " is simply "code".....dunno what happened with that ?

God will always honor those who scribe for his sake and his honor..

hope things are falling into place with your daughter...i'm having a bit of fun myself ::: sigh:::

Blessssssssssssssssssss
Jen

[Gary H]

I really enjoy learning from poetry. There's something about the way the lines are written that moves me and I tend to absorb more. This was really informative, sadly my biblical knowledge is not so good so thanks for offering me some kind of redemption!

[Crazy Cat Man]

nice

[T. L. O'Neal]

You did a great job with this. It's a bit of bibical history in poem form and it was interesting to read and to learn from it. T

[Barry S. Maltese]

Nice interpretation. It flowed well, and seemed pretty correct to me. Your talent in writing is that of letting the story play out in a smoothe flow. That you once again accomplished here. A sad, but enjoyable read. You took you inspitation from your biblical muse and created a nice piece.

[Gandré]

I have read this yesterday, and today again. I love how you write about ethics in jewish tradition and history... I adore it that you still live your roots. Fantastic piece, dear David. I missed you here. How are you, don't leave.

[Angela Talbert]

David, I love this. I am always pleased with the time and detail you put into your work. It reads seemlessly and tells it's story very well.