2024 April Poem a Day Challenge
“Two for Tuesday - write a love poem and/or write an anti-love poem.”
A while ago, I posted about the genesis, so to speak, of a work-in-progress, a poetry+prose exploration/narrative centering on the character of Rachel in the Bible.
It has been some time since I wrote anything toward that WIP, and for some reason, today’s poetry prompt and the idea of love and anti-love sparked some images in my mind.
The poem unfolded.
(As with all the poems I’m writing this month, it’s a first draft, so forgive me if it’s a little raw.)
Rachel’s Song
Was this one reason for your tears, those seven
years of work he vowed to win you,
as if you were a prize and nothing more? Did all
that those years had in store flash
before your eyes? Perhaps it was no surprise
your father’s guise to gain another seven years of toil.
And you the spoil.
Was it love or mere desire that chose
this path for you? Would you have quenched that fire
if it was something you could choose? And when
the silent world was sleeping, did you call out
to the dark, was this the reason for your weeping
as you sought a single spark of hope in the uncounted stars?
Or were they just too far?
Did he treat you as a treasure of his heart
or of his bed? When all was said and done and sorrow
was your lot, when you felt forgotten
by a God who closed your womb through no fault
of your own making, it was the man who did the taking.
When he bid you flee in the night away
from all you knew, what fears played upon
your mind, what terrors drew you to gather
up in secret gods to light your way? Did they stay
those endless fears or were your tears
for this long journey, was your heart burning
as you felt you tread the path alone, did you make stones
your pillow waiting for a dream of wonder?
Were your dreams torn asunder?
Did you wrestle your own angel alone beside
the river, seeking some respite
from shame? Was this the game you never chose
to play? Did an unnamed angel in darkness show
the way ahead, speak as from a bush
aflame? And in your longing show you what it meant
to belong, offering a song in the midst of sorrow.
Did he tell you your true name?
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There's something really special here. First draft or not, this poem holds a lot of questions that ring persistently across generations.
So many strong thoughts here, I was grapped by the heart/bed line because I have wrestled in the past with my own motivations in love.