deepundergroundpoetry.com
zarephath
one widow, one son, one meal, one corpse, one prophet [I Kings 17]
i
dead
my only lover
sped
from me forever
here
our only child
dear
and meek and mild
ii
food
gone from our table
would
that I were able
for
my baby boy
more
means to employ
iii
lo
our final morsel
so
meagre a parcel
stuffs
the appetite
of
a gileadite
iv
death
comes to my laddie
breath
gone from his body
i
am left undone
by
my only son
v
nought
but faith to cherish
ought
i now to perish
use
but emptiness
dues
for plentiness?
vi
must
you make my living
just
a bed of grieving?
raise
my son to me
praise
be unto thee!
vii
springs
of living water
bring
your widowed daughter
bread
forevermore
fed
from heaven's store
© Copyright 2020 May 23
by Clyve A. Bowen♫
i
dead
my only lover
sped
from me forever
here
our only child
dear
and meek and mild
ii
food
gone from our table
would
that I were able
for
my baby boy
more
means to employ
iii
lo
our final morsel
so
meagre a parcel
stuffs
the appetite
of
a gileadite
iv
death
comes to my laddie
breath
gone from his body
i
am left undone
by
my only son
v
nought
but faith to cherish
ought
i now to perish
use
but emptiness
dues
for plentiness?
vi
must
you make my living
just
a bed of grieving?
raise
my son to me
praise
be unto thee!
vii
springs
of living water
bring
your widowed daughter
bread
forevermore
fed
from heaven's store
© Copyright 2020 May 23
by Clyve A. Bowen♫
Published 24th May 2020
Author's Note
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Commenting Preference:
The author encourages honest critique.
24th May 2020 7:48am
Reminder of that story, which I read about in bible study yesterday as an example of God providing. Like the shaping of the verses.
25th May 2020 4:31am
Right on target, Solomon: this poem is based on the Widow of Zarephath, as recorded in the given reference. Do you worship on the Sabbath (if you don't mind my asking; you have mentioned "in [B]ible study yesterday")?
Thanks for your positive feedback.
Sincerely
cab
Thanks for your positive feedback.
Sincerely
cab
25th May 2020 8:19am
It is Sunday (as it was yesterday) I worship, though it be at home as church buildings in UK are still shut in the anti covid lockdown.
I follow virtual services on zoom from our pastor.
I follow virtual services on zoom from our pastor.
26th May 2020 3:46am
Thanks for responding to what may seem like an extra probe. I guess I had not considered your timeline carefully enough to realise your yesterday was my today.
Virtual assemblies have been the order of the day in Jamaica, as well. Buildings do not matter -- thank God -- as much as the uniting of hearts in the Name of Jesus. Continue to stay safe.
Sincerely
cab
Virtual assemblies have been the order of the day in Jamaica, as well. Buildings do not matter -- thank God -- as much as the uniting of hearts in the Name of Jesus. Continue to stay safe.
Sincerely
cab
Anonymous
24th May 2020 1:47pm
Admittedly, I struggle with the reading of V., but the rest flows excellent for me.
The first half of V. feels like a forced rhyme, while "use" can be read both ways ( S or Z ) until you get to "dues" ( then we realize it is Z ).
Regardless, well done and uniquely crafted, cabs.
The first half of V. feels like a forced rhyme, while "use" can be read both ways ( S or Z ) until you get to "dues" ( then we realize it is Z ).
Regardless, well done and uniquely crafted, cabs.
25th May 2020 4:57am
Thank you, JB. Your observations are quite insightful.
(a) I actually anticipated that readers would "struggle with the reading of v." "Ought" probably ought not to be used in that context; it was, however, intentional, as if to express duty or moral obligation to face my suffering.
(b) In the latter half, emptiness is an adjective to dues. Perhaps a hyphen would fix the uncertainty for others (even though not for me), as in "emptiness-dues" (meaning having nothing with which to pay my dues).
Your feedback helps me to see how others might see that stanza; perhaps I ought to revise it??
I am thankful that some features appeal to your better judgment.
Sincerely
cab
(a) I actually anticipated that readers would "struggle with the reading of v." "Ought" probably ought not to be used in that context; it was, however, intentional, as if to express duty or moral obligation to face my suffering.
(b) In the latter half, emptiness is an adjective to dues. Perhaps a hyphen would fix the uncertainty for others (even though not for me), as in "emptiness-dues" (meaning having nothing with which to pay my dues).
Your feedback helps me to see how others might see that stanza; perhaps I ought to revise it??
I am thankful that some features appeal to your better judgment.
Sincerely
cab
