Miriam l... The Chosen


Dressed in serviceable spotless robes
Her demeanor savant adept but muted
Anonymous
Softly moving with polished grace
Around the table
Serving the diners
Who deal with her as an afterthought
All the bowls and utensils exactly placed
With pride of touch and inner peace
Her hallmark
Perfection in everything
And grace in serving
Simple caring dignity
There are twelve this evening
Simple food for rough hewn men
Counterpointed
With curiously gentle principles
Anxious and furtive this night
A momentousness evident
In their glances and speech
Undertones of future dread
She moves invisible among them
Her presence quietly calming
In its predictable choreography
Seated they speak of past and future
Deeds and goals arguing
As only fishermen can
While one sits back and listens
As a teacher would
The dinner finished He stands to speak
My brothers please take this loaf and wine
Share it as a memory of this night
These days past and future
They did as bid and later
In twos and threes
Bade their farewells
Until He alone is left
Sitting in easy fashion
As she clears the table of all left behind
Precious little due to the takeaways
Spirited by each diner for hunger was a constant
She will be fed on the less than meager leavings
He looks and speaks
Your nobility of service does you proud
And lights my thoughts
To the dignity of all who serve
Here take this gift as a token
A simple cup which is my own but is
The icon of your work.
And perhaps in future icon of mine
May it remind you always
Of the dignity of Service your
Deeds this night exemplify
The gift was unexpected
Graciously accepted by one whose life was service
From one whose service was life





Poetry by josephus The PoetBay support member heart!
Read 787 times
Written on 2019-04-16 at 01:46

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Rob Graber
Fine write, breathing new life into an old story!
2019-04-19


Lawrence Beck The PoetBay support member heart!
There's a remarkable quietude to this poem, Joe. I greatly enjoyed it.
2019-04-16



This is very well written, Joe. We really entered into it, watching the scene unfold. We don't know much about Miriam (we shall google), but we like the fullness of the portrait you provide here and we're happy that the lady receives a gift for her dignity in service :>)
2019-04-16