ISHMAEL and other characters by Raymond Sapienza
copyright Š 2009, Raymond Sapienza Pittsburgh, PA
all rights reserved
Contents
Ishmael
6
Nebuchadnezzar
8
Lamech
10
Jubal
11
Jezebel
12
Judas
14
Pilate
16
Potiphar
18
Cain
20
Also by Raymond Sapienza:
Tumbled Streams
2007
Troubled Stars
2008
Political Prisoners
2009
Illustrations Hagar and Ishmael in the Wilderness Gustave Dore
7
Nebuchadnezzar's degradation Georges Rochegrosse
9
Jubal playing the harp. 11th c., Caedmon's Metrical Paraphrase of Scripture History
11
The Death of Jezebel Gustave Dore
13
The despair of Judas Edward Armitage
15
Pilate Washes His Hands James Tissot
17
Joseph and Potiphar's Wife Guido Reni
19
Cain kills Abel Gustave Dore
21
Ishmael
Beersheba's sun upon their heads, The water in the bottle spent, She laid him down upon a bed Of stony ground and tears she'd wept. And from a bow shot's distance cried With a throat that was parched and a heart that was rent "Let me not see my child thus die." - The wilderness drank in her lament But Ishmael's whisper, barely breathed, Found the ever attentive ear And the Angel of God to Hagar bequeathed The promise there was naught to fear. And of Ishmael came a great nation.
6
Nebuchadnezzar
Soaked with Heaven’s dew by night Eating grass by day, Such was Nebuchadnezzar’s plight. The Lord God has His way. Who can stay His mighty hand? Who His purpose sway? Whilst thou shalt turn to dust oh man The Lord God has His way.
8
Lamech
The blood of Cain coursing through him, Having slain for recompense, Lamech swore his testament: The initial pleading of self defense. No man would he answer to, Nor he, to God, would bow. The arrogance of Lamech Swells in men’s hearts even now.
10
Jubal (the father of all such as handle the harp and organ)
Jubal, son of Lamech, son of Cain: The first of all to fashion note to chord. And music since has flowed from age to age As bearer both of love and of the sword.
11
Jezebel
Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal, King of the Zidonians; Queen of Israel in a wicked time. In your veins flowed naught but avarice and murder, till payment for blood that you’d spilled was required. No lying in state for this mistress of evil; no burial fit for a princess or queen. Splayed out for dogs, and gnawing for mourning. Dung in the fields of Jezreel your last reign.
12
Judas
Many a man has sought for fame - The timeless recognition of his name And many have secured it. Yet, there is one Whom, could he choose, Would gladly now obscure it.
14
15
Pilate
Saying “I am innocent of the blood...” Pilate took water and washed his hands. But would that water suffice to cleanse The soul of such a political man? Saying “I find no fault in him,” After scourging, he brought Jesus forth. But measured against Pilate’s governing need What was the life of a righteous man worth? To avoid a tumult, to appease the crowd, Pilate’s conscience was stultified. And so this “Jesus which is called Christ” Was led away to be crucified. Pilate washed his hands that day, But could even the purest of water Cleanse the blood spattered soul of a man Complicit in the Lamb of God’s slaughter.
16
17
Potiphar
Did shame hold rest from Potiphar’s mind, Knowing, as he surely knew, The burden of guilt on his wife should lie While from Joseph he required its due?
18
19
Cain
Anger and bitterness encompassed. Sin in doorway did wait. Jealousy surged from heart to hand Which raised against brother in hate. Cursed from earth that drank in blood. Cursed from fields once loved. Lost from family, lost from Lord, To dwell in the land of Nod.
20
About the Author Raymond Sapienza lives and writes in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is married, with two children and a cat. Ishmael is his fourth collection of poetry.
22