Jael

Hold it steady in your hand

and with the hammer drive it deep.

Your arms are thick from setting and striking 
as you move from place to place. 
The world gives little choice. 
Your life was set at birth:

who you marry and how you live.

The power you have was not given. 
You built it by driving pegs 
each day of your life. Then this pig 
shows up with his imperial demands, 
ignores the rites of guest and host 
for after all, you’re not a man. 
So you wait; he falls asleep.

Hold it steady, drive it deep.

̶  November 23, 2012