Ezer: A Poem-Prayer-Plea
Being a "helper" is being like God, not being silent, submissive, and subjugated
Lord over heaven and earth You described me (woman) as you describe yourself: the One who helps A suitable helper Suitable: Fit for the need Able and ready to protect I know that those who want to be like the Most High Have attempted to strip that word Help Demean it, even with definite articles The Help As if the ability to cleanse and make right is a skill that’s beneath them As if the legacy of indomitable dark hands Feeding Nursing Shushing Sustaining (In spite of everything!) is the dirty unmentionable rather than the hubris They tried to extract the mighty and miraculous from the mundane with pregnancy with periods As if the ability to bleed and not die is a mere trifle As if carrying and nourishing life and populating the earth while making time, making love, and making lunch is light work Yet Help isn’t limited to reproductive ability It is Power Observation and strategy Military prowess Very present in times of trouble Strapped with hope in times of despair A cloak of care A seeing and a knowing draped in compassion Sometimes help Is an ass-whooping of enemies Sometimes it’s ignoring our antics And telling us to go lay down somewhere After preparing a table before us I think I miss You sometimes Your might and miracles Swaddled in the mundane Missing the movement of obstacles on these not-crystal stairs The doors you close Containing the danger The joy You preserve within my life In my babies’ eyes In a well-placed word In delicious kisses on my clavicle Thank you for help when I don’t know I need it Thank you for the help that I lack imagination to even ask for I still have a request: Please fight for us Let us see it, too Feeling fought for has not been our lot in this world Your goodness in the land of the living? Make it look like Scrapping with these devils Nestle me in defense Keep Your cheek stiff, don’t turn it Show them all that You really do Care for the widow, the orphan, the foreigner, the outcast Come to our aid so that we bleed but don’t die Help
The way you conjure up relatable memories that evoke such strong emotions is just brilliant and amazing. Definitely a new favorite poet✨ my waves are always flowing when I read your poems and words.
I love this. Thanks for writing it, sharing it, and for all who embody it a big thank you as well. My life would not be what it is were it not for my mother, my sisters, my wife, my daughter, and all the sisters God has graced me with over the years. I see you, love and respect sent your way.