Esther

Photo by Narges Moaddab on Unsplash

I didn’t ask to be a queen,
I would have rather gone unseen.
An orphaned child of immigrants,
Expecting insignificance,
I never dreamed of palace life
Or wished to be a royal wife.

But, chosen by the king and crowned,
I’m steeped in luxury all around,
And stuck behind a palace wall
To wait my husband’s beck and call,
While Mordecai’s outside the gate
Just hoping he can learn my fate.

Though not a circumstance I’d choose,
Despondent sorrow I refuse.
By blessed Mordecai well taught
To be content whate’er my lot,
I’ve found the courage to rejoice
And trust the providential choice.

But now I face a greater ill
That makes my hardships keener still,
For Haman will the kingdom use
To vent his hatred on the Jews.
I feel a weighty need to act
Before my people are attacked.

I’m scared to go before the king.
His law is death for such a thing,
But I’ve been set in such a place
As could be used to save my race,
And come at such a time as this,
I dare not cave to cowardice.

Thus I, outside my comfort zone,
With firm resolve, approach the throne.
When in his presence I appear,
He grants me favor to draw near
And make what seemed a strange appeal—
That Haman join us for a meal.

Supported by my people’s prayers,
I catch the villain unawares,
The king with anger towards him burns,
And fate in one sweet moment turns.
Vile Haman falls in deep disgrace,
And Mordecai obtains his place.

It wasn’t following my dreams
That foiled the adversary’s schemes,
But rising up to meet demands
That fell in my unwilling hands,
Not seeking self or serving kings, —
Just faithfulness in little things.

 -Nita Brainard