Monday, March 2, 2015

A Purim Poem by Jeanne Steig

Come celebrate Purim at Kehillath Shalom Synagogue!  Friday night - 

March 6th at 6:30pm

And in the meantime, it's by no means the "whole Megillah" but it covers all the important bits!  I give you...


The Esther Story

by Jeanne Steig

High-handed Haman, esteemed by the King,
Did an evil, ibnoble – nay damnable – thin.
He proclaimed, “We have too many Hebrews by far.
Let them therefore be slain, in the month of Adar.”
When the news reached Queen Esther, she shivered a bit,
Then cried: “Down, I say, down with this scrofulous writ!”

She invited her husband and Haman to feast.
When they’d guzzled their fill, and their chins were well greased,
Said King Ahasuerus, “Dear Lady, bravo!
What gift shall I give you, what trinket bestow?
What prize will you claim for such tasty ragouts?”
She said, “Save my life!  And my people – the Jews.”

“Who threatens my Queen, what despicable hound?”
Esther pointed to Haman, who fell to the ground.
King Ahasuerus was horribly wroth.
His eyes were aflame, his lips were afroth.
Very little remains of this story to tell.
Horrid Haman was hanged, and his ten sons as well.

The festival Purim, which Hebrews observe,
Commemorates Esther – her cunning, her verve.
They dress up in costumes, and sing jolly tines,
And eat hamantaschen, a cookie with prunes.