Mothering

A bit unconventional for Mother’s Day, perhaps, but appropriate nonetheless, I think. So here we go. A poetic reflection on Exodus 1:15–2:10.

Pharaoh feared Jacob’s sons—

all newborn males he ordered slain.

The females, though, he thought no threat.

 

Then,

 

two barren women

            refused to harm

      new life from the womb,

 

a slave’s wife

            bravely protected

      her newborn son,

 

an older sister

            watched over

      her infant brother,

 

a servant girl

            rescued

      a baby from the water,

 

and Pharaoh’s own daughter

            had compassion

      on a stranger’s child.

 

Thus,

 

the mighty king of Egypt

            was defeated

      by mothering.

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