Poetry

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ESTHER

Mordecai, my uncle
why are you are dressed
in ashes and sack cloth

you lay a heavy task on me
I am distrait but
I have not forgotten my heritage
because I am queen
of the Persians and Medes

I pray to Yahweh for strength
I fear failure

I remember Queen Vashti
the whispered stories of her beauty
how she mocked King Xerxes,
refused his command to appear before
him and his guests at a banquet,
for that act of defiance, he divorced her

I was one of thousands of virgins
summoned to court
so that he could choose a new queen
you ordered me to keep silent about my background
I became Esther instead of Hadassah

I remember the first time I beheld Xerxes
his hair and his beard as tawny as a lion’s mane
his eyes the colour of black olives

he chose me as his Queen,
from him I have known only kindness
I love him more deeply with each passing day

towards you he has been ungrateful
did you not warn him of the plot
by Bigthan and Teresh to assassinate him
he has shown you no gratitude?

how can I tell him that others betray him
that Haman his trusted advisor seeks revenge
because you do not bow down before him
that he has conspired to contrive
the death of our people

Haman rules in the king’s name
he claims that all Jews are evil
that they plot the downfall of Xerxes

their death has been ordered
signed by the Great Seal
of the Persians and Medes
it cannot be changed
it is set for the month of Pur

Uncle, you warn me that I cannot
hide behind the palace walls
but what can I, a mere woman, do?

yet if I do not act you
and all my father’s kin will be destroyed
could it be that Yahweh
has made me Queen for a purpose?

Uncle I command you:
gather all the Jews in Shusan city
you must fast for three days and nights
I and my maidens will do likewise
let us pray to Yahweh for help

then I will go unto the king
even though I have not been summoned
I will break this law
if I must, I will perish

I garb myself in finest linen
anoint my body with oil of attar
I walk slowly, step step
towards the throne room

I pause in the doorway
what if Xerxes does not see me?
his guards may kill me
if I am too bold

I approach the throne slowly
Xerxes holds out his scepter
gives me permission to approach

“come closer, my queen,
what is your petition?”
I kneel at his feet

“oh, gracious king, live forever,
if I have found favour in your sight
and if it please the king
I beg that you and Lord Haman
attend a banquet I will prepare

the feast is a sumptuous one
served on gold plates,
the guests convivial
I request that my king will
attend another banquet
on the morrow

I pray to Yahweh that
he will send a way
to save our people
I hear cheering in the streets

Uncle Mordecai is attired
in fine linen and gold robes
he sits astride the king’s horse
Haman leads the way, shouting:

“this is the man that the king desires to honour”

Yahweh has sent Xerxes a reminder
that Mordecai saved his life

Haman retaliates as quickly
as an asp strikes its victim
orders a gallows built for my uncle

at the second banquet
the king is pleased with my efforts
he asks if I have another request

“I am happy, oh my king,
that the food pleases you
if I have found favour in your sight
then spare my life,

the lives of my people
Haman has conspired against them
treacherously tricked you
into ordering their deaths

the king mandates that Haman be hanged
on the gallows prepared for Mordecai
but cannot grant my request
but only order new commands

the decree goes forth to the Empire
that all Jews may gather to defend
themselves against their enemies

victory is sweet,
Yahweh has been good to us,
vanquished our foes

we will commemorate
the anniversary
of this day forever
as the feast of Purim


©2002 Glenda Hobbs

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