But Don't

You probably don’t know me,

I also don’t know you.

I am Tamar. I am beautiful.

Everything in life,

Seems to be working out for me.

I am married to a prestigious family,

To a truly handsome dude

Disobedience led to his demise,

When his brother played with my psychology

Twice A widow

And a third promise to be married

Never materialised

Shsh…….don’t  

Don’t be quick to write me off

I was blessed with a twin

Perez and Zeran.

Gen 38

You probably have heard of my fame

In the gutter press

The shadow of my bad actions

Shines brighter

Than the light of my good ones

I am Rahab,

The harlot who dared to believe in the God of Israel

Did one action outside my line of duty,

Changing my present and future

I know my past isn’t pretty

But don’t.

Don’t be quick to dismiss me

Am in the hall of fame with great men and women.

Joshua 2,Heb 11:31, John 20:29

You probably pity me

Feeling sorry for me,

My plans backfired

I was to be married,

Get children

Live happily ever after

But dreams sometimes don’t come true,

I am Ruth.

Alone with a mother in greater pain

Had to rise above my pain and sorrow

For my mother’s sake and for my sanity

You wish I wallowed in my problems,

Since people will understand

But Don’t

Don’t magnify my problem and tribulation

Exalt my God who has good plans for me.

(Book of Ruth)

I was one of the many wives of the king of Israel

Your thoughts convinced you that I had my husband killed

I mourned a husband and a child

For being at the wrong place

In the wrong time

My troubles were many

So were my triumphs and victories

If you were given a choice

I wouldn’t be queen

I am Bathsheba.

But don’t

Don’t overlook me

My son Solomon would be king over Israel

The wisest man on earth

2 Samuel 11

You probably would not choose yourself

If you were looking for a champion

You are convinced that you fall short

And don’t have what it takes

The past and present

Don’t look like the story of an overcomer

The mirror shows all your flaws

And your heart knows

That you are not at all brave

Wishing daily you were someone else,

From a different family, country and creed

But don’t

Don’t end the story prematurely,

The writer is still on this particular story.

Poem by Maureen Chemutai