A Weblog Dedicated to the Discussion of the Christian Faith and 21st Century Life

A Weblog Dedicated to the Discussion of the Christian Faith and 21st Century Life
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I do not seek to understand that I may believe, but I believe in order to understand. For this also I believe, –that unless I believed, I should not understand.-- St. Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109)

Sunday, August 23, 2020

Sunday Afternoon Poetry: “Queen Vashti”

by Lindsey Funtik, Coordinator of Volunteer Ministries, Ashland First United Methodist Church, Ashland, Ohio

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You may pour your wine in the dust

because I will not come.

My breasts are not your golden goblets,

my navel is not held open by your

colorful linen chords,

the roiling ocean of my hips 

does not exist to keep your armadas afloat--

I dare you to test your

seaworthiness;

you would sink and drown,

intoxicated by the crushing power you 

will never understand and

have no desire to pursue.

Weep and rage and flip your silver couches.

I will not come. 


Eyes wide, 

you now see this feminine counterpart,

this party not gifted description,

as the velvet threat that it is. 

From whence once lounged docile hens,

submissive does,

now springs phantom tigresses

with hungry snarls and snapping jaws,

painted ruby red,

which you had not thought to consider,

to ponder, 

to fear. 

Come closer, let me lift this veil ever so slightly

that you might dawn into knowing 

all your fears are founded,

all your suspicions are correct. 


Corral your bulls, 

put your hairy heads so close together

they knock with your rattling

tremors of panic. 

Howl like whining hyenas from spires and ramparts:

“Give us your respect! 

Come on, give it!

Or else…

Or else…”

Or else you’ll take it all?

Or else you’ll make an example?

Or else you’ll prove your own point?


Proclaim so loud and strong

that the insidious, sounding peal will

echo through the centuries,

will twitch the bejeweled ears

of my sisters,

the crowns of creation,

who will raise their regal heads,

nod toward me in the distance

and 

still will not come.

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Cross-Posted from "Reflections on Faith, Words, and The Holiness of Today"

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