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| Photo by Mohammad Metri on Unsplash |
Ahasuerus made a feast
To show the glory of his realm
To both the greatest and the least.
His banners hung in colors bold,
And marble paved the floor’s design.
They drank from goblets made of gold,
And stinted not on wine.
I, too, of luxuries took my fill
And celebrated like the king,
But when his vain, capricious will
Demanded an unrighteous thing
And asked to put me on display,
I scorned the pride of empty show
And risked my all to disobey
When I refused to go.
With hastiness unparalleled,
In selfish fear and wounded pride,
The coward who was thus repelled
Forever put his wife aside.
I haven’t seethe king since then.
Another woman takes my place—
So fleeting is the praise of men,
So vain, my pretty face.
-Nita Brainard, August 2021
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