Rizpah

 You stare at the fallen

in unspeakable grief, and recall

the first steps, the tiny hug, the baby smell

all the little details a mother knows

beneath the terebinth tree

oh Rizpah, the pleasure of all eyes

the delight of Saul in his prime

what have you become? fighting birds of prey and jackals as they stalk the decaying 

flesh of your flesh...

Amoni was the quiet one, 

Mephibosheth the witty one, who laughed even in sadness

Here they lay eyes agape in unspeakable horror, hung like thieves

Saul would gather them in the small of his arms,

and they, beauties to behold would giggle in delight

Rizpah, your existence is that of demented reality and excruciating dreams

in the middle of insanity

The Jackals have come again, aiming to savour the carcasses of your decaying sons, 

I stand weakened by hunger and sorrow, and shoo them away again.

God of Israel,  take this pain away