Jael

Now, Mama Deborah was a prophet;

she knew what would happen.

She’d said a woman

was going to get the job done.

Sisera had been

dreaming of spoils—silver,

and purple garment plunder,

a woman on each shoulder—

his mother, so proud.

Until his mighty 900

were swept away

in the torrent of Kishon,

and he alone, on foot, found Jael.

And let’s just say

the stars were not aligned

in his favor.

You’d like some water?

I can do better,

here’s some milk.

Get cozy,

here’s a blanket,

that’s right,

take a load off.

There now,

rest your head—

they may not have made swords

fitted for feminine hands,

but trust me, a woman

knows how to get creative

when she must—

you may feel

a little sting;

this peg, this hammer

are no

small things.

And it happened, just

like Mama said.

© 2014 Jennifer Wagner

Notes:  Deborah was a prophetess and judge (and poet…smiles) in ancient Israel.  Sisera was a notorious commander of the army of the Canaanites who had oppressed the Israelites for many years.  Jael was the woman who defeated him by driving a tent peg through his temple with a hammer, pinning his head to the ground. 

To read both prose and poetic accounts of the story of these heroines go here:  Judges 4, 5.

For last week’s Poets United Midweek Motif:  Honoring Woman/Women’s Achievements.