Sarah was a complicated character in Torah. We hear about her as a young woman, a courageous woman, beautiful, hospitable and kind. We suffer along with her as we witness her infertility. We are appalled at her jealousy and cruelty toward Hagar, her maid-servant and the mother of Abraham's son Yishmael. Like all biblical characters and like all of us, Sarah is filled with imperfections. It is easy to laud her or condemn her. This poem attempts to understand her and what Isaac meant to her.
Remember Me
For Isaac
Remember the best of me
and not the worst
Picture me as a beauty
When I had a sparkle in my eyes
When I was kind and innocent
My tresses long and lustrous,
My heart not colored with jealousy
I was a princess and I lacked for nothing
Just you were missing from my life
Remember me for the best
and not the worst
For my bravery
For journeys with your father
I had my doubts but I journeyed nonetheless
I traveled miles to the unknown and met many
Some were enemies but many friends
And even kings
I was bold, I saw the promise
I was indeed a woman of valor
My son, my life
Remember that I loved to laugh
My laughter filled up a room
Chuckles, giggles like music in the air
I could laugh at a joke,
I could laugh even at myself
Even when my heart ached and was so empty
The gift of laughter gave me strength
That laughter merited my greatest gift,
which was you
My Isaac, remember me not for cruelty
It came from deep inside,
From a place of jealousy and darkness
I could not see past my own troubles
My eyes were clouded, my heart strangled
I can never ask for your forgiveness or hers
Sending another mother and child into the desert
Instead, learn from me never to be cruel
Kindness extends outwards forever
Cruelty solves nothing, forever leaving scars
My son, my eyes, the source of my joy
Remember through me that miracles are possible
Miracles exist in this world
For the young and for the old
You are my miracle
My every dream realized
Remember that there is always a reason for hope
And during the darkest of times there is a glimmer of light
You are my hope, you are my every prayer
You will alway be my laughter.
**********************
וַתִּצְחַ֥ק שָׂרָ֖ה בְּקִרְבָּ֣הּ לֵאמֹ֑ר אַחֲרֵ֤י בְלֹתִי֙ הָֽיְתָה־לִּ֣י עֶדְנָ֔ה וַֽאדֹנִ֖י זָקֵֽן׃ And Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “Now that I am withered, am I to have enjoyment—with my husband so old?”
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל־אַבְרָהָ֑ם לָ֣מָּה זֶּה֩ צָחֲקָ֨ה שָׂרָ֜ה לֵאמֹ֗ר הַאַ֥ף אֻמְנָ֛ם אֵלֵ֖ד וַאֲנִ֥י זָקַֽנְתִּי׃ Then the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I in truth bear a child, old as I am?’
הֲיִפָּלֵ֥א מֵיְהוָ֖ה דָּבָ֑ר לַמּוֹעֵ֞ד אָשׁ֥וּב אֵלֶ֛יךָ כָּעֵ֥ת חַיָּ֖ה וּלְשָׂרָ֥ה בֵֽן׃ Is anything too wondrous for the LORD? I will return to you at the same season next year, and Sarah shall have a son.”
וַתְּכַחֵ֨שׁ שָׂרָ֧ה ׀ לֵאמֹ֛ר לֹ֥א צָחַ֖קְתִּי כִּ֣י ׀ יָרֵ֑אָה וַיֹּ֥אמֶר ׀ לֹ֖א כִּ֥י צָחָֽקְתְּ׃
Genesis: 18:12-15
Translation from Sefaria
