There’s a book in the Bible that’s a nail-biting
thriller.
It’s often read at Purim. Some call it the Megillah.
There is one thing about it that some readers find quite
odd—
in all the book’s ten chapters, there is no mention of
God.
The heroine is Esther, a brave and beautiful queen
who saves her people, the Jews, from a diabolic scheme.
There’s another queen in the story, Vashti is her name;
she defied King Ahasuerus and brought upon him shame,
therefore, Queen Vashti was banished, and a new queen was
sought.
The young virgins of Susa, to the citadel, were brought.
With oil of myrrh and spices, they were groomed and
primped and primed
till the king selected the maiden he deemed most sublime.
Exquisite Esther found favor with him. Soon she was
crowned
the new queen of Susa, regally bejeweled and begowned!
The fact that she was Jewish, the queen kept well
concealed;
for like a papa, Mordecai said, “Keep your royal lips
sealed!”
Mordecai had raised her like his daughter; an upstanding
man—
He overheard a plot brewing against the king of the land,
so the murderous plot was foiled; hanged were the two
thugs,
but Mordecai received no thanks, no reward and no hugs.
Hated was Mordecai by Haman, the aide to the king,
for the Jew would not bow down and to Haman homage bring.
Haman schmoozed with the king and received a promotion
but his hatred for the Jews stirred a sinister notion.
Haman devised a foul plan to annihilate the Jews.
This plot divulged to Mordecai was deep, dark, evil news.
Mordecai implored Queen Esther to go before the king
to beg him to halt Haman’s plan by the seal of his ring.
It was dangerous, indeed, for the woman he cherished,
but Queen Esther insisted, “If I perish, I perish!”
She called for her people and maids to keep a three-day
fast,
then inhaled a deep breath and did something extremely
rash—
She planned a lush banquet; invited her king and Haman.
Over wine, she revealed to the king, Haman’s evil plan.
The villain was sent to the gallows; hanged till he was
dead
and dear old Mordecai had honors heaped upon his head!
The king affixed his seal to an edict that saved the
Jews—
Throughout the kingdom of Susa that was the greatest
news!
Now each Purim Esther gets a commemorative nod
and although He wasn’t mentioned, so does the hand of
God!
Maude Carolan Pych
The above poem won the Spiritual Award for Poetry
at St. Catherine's Festival of the Arts in Ringwood, NJ.
Maude's book, "Behold the Lamb...poetically!"
is available online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Maude's book at Barnes & Noble, Woodland Park, NJ, 
