(c) Dawn Q Landau
Every Friday authors worldwide gather round the virtual fireside of Rochelle Wisoff and share stories of 100 words, prompted by a common photograph, and exchange constructive criticism. Readers’ comments are also welcome. This week’s photo has been provided by Dawn Q Landau. Thanks Dawn. Your photo inspired a (rare) poem from me this week.
Nabat
I looked back, sin
more comfortable
safer than flight.
I should have soared away.
Zoar was not far
but sin was nearer.
I was cosy with sin –
a warm nest.
Now, inside this pillar
I work this salt patch
walk on salt tears.
I am a bird of sorts
one featherless wing grown
to the wooden handle of my axe
my beak a pick of pecking iron.
My nest is of salt-burnt thorn
I keep my eyes like my sin safe
in sockets behind hoods
blinkered looking
neither left nor right
up nor down.
I never look back.
Ann Isik 2014
100 words
Notes and acknowledgements:
Nabat is the Hebrew for looking back.
Wikipedia: “A Jewish legend says that because Lot’s wife sinned with salt, she was punished with salt. On the night the two angels visited Lot, he requested of his wife to prepare a feast for them. Not having any salt, Lot’s wife asked of her neighbors for salt which so happened to alert them of the presence of their guests, resulting in the mob action that endangered Lot’s family.”
Ann, You did your research well. I’ve never heard that legend before. Very interesting and well written. 🙂 —Susan
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I made up the bit about her being stuck inside the pillar of salt, of course. It’s a peculiar bit of The Bible, though.
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Indeed .. to be locked inside that pillar.. poor woman.. interesting also that it allowed Lot to wed his daughter… hmm
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It’s a very odd bit of The Bible, I think. Surreal.
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Your poem may be a rare offering but it’s really good. Love the language and the terese way in which you’ve told the story. So much imagery here.
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I enjoyed the research. The surfacing of a poem is always a surprise.
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Dear Anne,
A different perspective on Lot’s wife…from the inside. A favorite of mine this week. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle! I enjoyed researching this and getting the Jewish perspective on the story. I found myself very curious as to the motivation behind Lot’s wife’s action. What could make you do something, if you know you may die by doing it? I’ve been adding some exotic vocabulary to my ‘stash’ lately as I’ve also been studying the Bhagavad-gita with my (new) local Hare Krishna group, which also makes me feel like a very old hippie! 🙂
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Dear Ann,
I like this poem, especially the last line. Ties it all together very nicely.
Aloha,
Doug
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Thanks Doug and nice to hear from you again. Ann
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AnElephant finds this take on the prompt quite intriguing.
He loves the poem and is hugely impressed at how you got there from the back story.
Very well done.
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I love this poem, especially the verse – I walk the salt patch, walk on salt tears. Made me feel my sins.
Lily
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Sorry, missed this. Thank you for reading. I’m sure you have few sins to feel!
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That was potent. I wonder had she lived would her family have been less cursed.
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I suppose if she had lived, it would have been because she didn’t look back. It would have changed the course of history. That darned snake gets everywhere!
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Strange how such small moments set the course of entire nations. The snake doesn’t have to move much to send ripples down through the ages does he?
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I so agree. I know only too well the importance of mindfulness and consciousness, and the consequences, when they are largely absent. I think we all set the course of nations every day, sadly, mostly unconsciously. The bizarre story of Lot’s wife isn’t so bizarre after all.
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