Don't look down!
The tightrope walk continues as I put one word in front of the other. Today we use poetry and an ancient text to examine the theme of sacrifice and to restore the light to Sarah's tent.
Welcome back to The Life of H: Sarah, Reimagined. In today’s missive you’ll find:
An update on my 30 Poems in November Fundraiser, for which I’m translating a verse-a-day through the end of the month from Sarah’s story into a poet’s English.
A newly published poem from The Life of H: Sarah, Reimagined collection (for everyone).
And the latest verses that I’ve translated with my translator’s notes (for paid subscribers and for anyone who donates any amount to the fundraiser).
21 verses, and counting
Back in September I announced my intention to translate some of the 100+ verses in Genesis that relate directly to Sarah’s story. And I committed to doing it in public, sharing my progress here with you as I go.
Starting Nov. 1, I amped up this effort and dedicated it to a fundraising challenge from The Center for New Americans: to write 30 Poems in November (or in my case poetically translating a verse a day from Sarah’s story) to raise money for classes and services for new immigrants to our community.
Today is Nov. 21, and I am 21 verses into my pledge!
Here’s where the project stands so far.
I’ve reached my first goal and completed a poetic translation of Genesis 18, verses 1-16, the announcement of Isaac’s birth.
In addition, I’ve begun translating the next section, Chapter 21. (I’m going slightly out of order for a variety of reasons.)
I’ve begun learning to read the cantillation marks, which indicate how the verses are to be chanted. Like a poem or a song, this story is meant to be voiced aloud, not lie inert on a page (or papyrus).
Don’t look down
When I announced my intention back in September, I likened this project to walking a tightrope in public: It feels risky to set such a large goal, knowing that there’s no guarantee that I’ll be able to complete it successfully.
I’ve never walked a tightrope but I imagine if I did someone would tell me:
“Don’t look down. Take it one step at a time.”
And that’s what I’m doing here. Word by word and verse by verse I’m moving forward, and learning as I go.
Paid subscribers, and anyone who has donated to the fundraiser, can scroll down to read the latest installment of my verse-by-verse translation and notes.
Sacrifice
Sacrifice is a theme that runs through Sarah, Abraham, and Hagar’s stories. An animal is sacrificed for a meal, Hagar’s son is nearly sacrificed when Sarah orders Abraham to send them out into the desert, and Sarah’s son is nearly sacrificed when God commands Abraham to offer him up on a mountaintop.
And what is sacrificed when women bear children? When families must leave their homes? When hard choices are made and when bonds are broken?
When is sacrifice holy? And when is it cruel, senseless, and manipulative?
Today’s poem, which was published earlier this month in the journal Vita Poetica, explores these questions.
Note that the text is accompanied by an audio recording, if you prefer to hear the poem being read.
For 30 Days in November, I am attempting to (at least) write a rough poetic translation of a verse from Sarah’s story each day. When you pledge your support for this challenge, you contribute to an amazing cause. You’ll also receive complimentary access to paid subscriber benefits to this newsletter through the end of 2024.
A mini-course delivered to your inbox when you upgrade to a paid subscription:
Come home to your writing this winter
Register for this virtual stay-home writing retreat by Dec. 15 for Early Bird discounts!
In this low-cost Write-at-Home retreat, you’ll write at home at your desk or by the hearth—or close to home: at a local café or library—it’s up to you.
Restoring splendor
In my poetic translation of Genesis, Chapter 18:1-16, I wake up the ancient language to honor the glow of an about–to-be-pregnant woman, and the miraculous fulfillment of a promise that will re-define Sarah’s life in her elder years. She is about to become the Matriarch of a nation and the foremother of a spiritual lineage that, along with Hagar’s, will inspire three wisdom traditions that will change the world forever.
Abraham’s role as Patriarch has been roundly (and rightly) celebrated through the ages. But Sarah’s strength, beauty, courage, and spiritual powers have not been fully appreciated. By excavating the words in the text, we can begin to give Sarah her due.
The joy for me is in bringing concepts down to earth, and into words scribed thousands of years ago, and preserved until this day, so we can continue to find the treasures buried within and among them.
Keep reading to here more of my translation and to learn what I found when I translated Genesis 9-11.
I am sharing these translations with paid subscribers to this newsletter, and with anyone who contributes to my 30 Poems in November Fundraiser. Find more posts in this series starting here. And you can donate to the 30 Poems fundraiser, in which I’m translating a verse-a-day for 30 days in November to raise money for the Center for New Americans.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to The Life of H to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.