Esther, a poem

An opulent setting 

stuns the senses 

to imagine it, 

but characters emerging 

repulse my thoughts 

of stepping foot in it: 

Castrated servants 

at every beck and call, 

Drunken officials 

declaring new laws, 

Kidnapped virgins 

perfecting their flaws,

Rejected concubines 

with no hope at all.

An orphan crowned queen

stays silent

to preserve herself,

but the course of history

begs the courage

to deny herself:

One single enemy

threatening her nation,

Death by decree

sealing his ambition,

Her only family

calling her to action,

A dose of reality

leveraging her station.

An overthrown scheme

seems sufficient

to applaud her,

But reversal in Purim

uncovers someone

who is greater:

God, Elohim,

from beginning to end.

Yahweh, I am,

holding fast the covenant.

Almighty, Shaddai,

giving shelter in the wind. 

El Yon, Most High,

reigning even when unnamed.