Lucille Clifton
sarah's promise
who understands better than i
the hunger in old bones
for a son? so here we are
abraham with his faith
and i my fury. jehovah,
i march into the thicket
of your need and promise you
the children of young women,
yours fora thousand years.
their faith will send them to you,
docile as abraham. now,
speak to my husband.
spare me my one good boy.
The Book of Lights, Copper Canyon Press, 1992
the hunger in old bones
for a son? so here we are
abraham with his faith
and i my fury. jehovah,
i march into the thicket
of your need and promise you
the children of young women,
yours fora thousand years.
their faith will send them to you,
docile as abraham. now,
speak to my husband.
spare me my one good boy.
naomi watches as ruth sleeps
she clings to me
like a shadow
when all that i wish
is to sit alone
longing for my husband,
my sons.
she has promised
to follow me,
to become me
if i allow it.
i am leading her
to boaz country.
he will find her beautiful
and place her among
his concubines.
jehovah willing
i can grieve in peace.
The Book of Lights, Copper Canyon Press, 1992
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