An Overness / Aaron

~ Part I & II of an Aaronic epic ~

I’m not one of those people afraid to write in their Bible…

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I. 

Come to love Aaron
whose first appearance
included a kiss.

Watch for this: he walked
the wilderness long before his brother
led the way

To “the mountain of God” — a phrase
that can tell his whole story.

II.

Look back with me to when
he was three — the edict, the terror,
the cries of his new baby brother. 

Their wide-eyed mother, emboldened by midwives
and whispers, built an ark for this son
(not for Aaron).

Jochebed’s Exalted mountain of strength
was not Drawn from the water
until eighty years later

On the far edge of the Sea of Reeds,
where walls of water stood at attention
where a multitude followed him through.

Already he’d turned the River
to blood, at Yahweh’s word — choking

The Pharaoh, fouling the kingdom that once
left his mother, milk-swollen, weeping.

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One of the earlier pages in this many-drafted, much-edited epic.

Poetry Notes:

Well hello readers. It’s been a while since I shared an Overness poem — because of a death in my family, because of the start of Lent, and because this poem about Aaron is getting looooong, so I haven’t known when or how to share it. I think I’m working on an epic. That word has become another adjective these days, so let me clarify: I’m not saying this poem is going to be so utterly amazing so as to be called EPIC, rather the more I meditate on the passages involving Aaron, the more I have to write, so I’ve decided I’m working on an epic — a lengthy, narrative poem. I plan on sharing it in parts for however long it takes.

Is it about Aaron’s “extraordinary or heroic deeds” or his “adventurous journeys” or “high-stakes struggles” — as many sources define an epic? In a way, yes, obviously, from what we know of Aaron. But my interest is also in the small revelations — for instance, how the poem begins — the first mention of Aaron in the Bible says he kissed his brother Moses — how lovely is that? (Exodus 4:27, immediately following what is to me THE STRANGEST passage in the entire Bible — the bridegroom of blood thing).

And, given the series it’s in, this poem is also all about the up-ness you find in Aaron’s story — from the meaning of his name, to his final breath, this man had a lot to do with mountains, so he gets a prominent place in An Overness.

Somehow this poem has also taken on a “let me tell you a story” tone, with the “Look back with me” and “watch for this” and there’s more of that to come. I didn’t sit down with the intent to make an Invitation style poem, but that’s what it has become, so now I’m all in. I’d love to know how that hits you. Pedantic? Fun? Surprising?

I haven’t undertaken any particular poetic form here, but I’m pleased with the music in the lines.

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MonafolkSPEAK

*I have some speaking engagements over the next few months, if you’re interested:

March:

• I’m going to be a “featured artist” tomorrow night, Thursday, March 5th, at an online gathering hosted by The Breath & The Clay that anyone can join! 8 pm EST. I’ll be reading two of my Overness poems and getting critical feedback. It’s not a space for flattery or workshopping exactly — rather, they utilize Liz Lerman’s Critical Response Process, which I am currently so delighted by, and I’ll be honored to have my work scrutinized and questioned and hopefully encouraged, too. Please come! I’m not entirely sure this link will work, you may have to receive The Breath & The Clay’s Newsletter for the registration link, but give this a try: It’s called The Light Between.

• Branches Gathering in NH, March 14th ~ what looks to be a wonderful day-long gathering, with a house show the night before. Their theme is “Our Refining Refuge” and I’ll be the plenary speaker. (Unfortunately, I think it’s sold out!)

• Gordon College’s Five Ponds Creative Writing Festival , March 28th ~ I’m one of many presenters. My talk is titled, “Fire from Heaven: How Biblical Imagery Can Fuel Creative Work” and I’ll also be a part of a poetry reading that afternoon.

April:

• Faith & Culture night focused on the arts at Great Bay Anglican Church, April 22 ~ no specific link available for this yet, but if one becomes available, I’ll share it! I’m the only one speaking at this event, I believe.

October:

• Friends, insider news: there will be a stellar conference October 23 - 24 here in Boston, and I’m sharing this with you way before it becomes public. The official site isn’t ready yet, but here’s the ticket page, ahead of time!!! If you care about imagination and the arts in the church, you will want to make it a point to be here. I’ll be doing one of the smaller sessions, but Malcolm Guite will be the plenary speaker! Not only that, Malcolm says it is the last time he’ll be giving this kind of teaching on creativity and imagination more broadly. After October he plans to focus on finishing his Arthuriad and continuing to write other poetry. If you want to hear this man speak on his life’s work — the imagination as a truth-bearing faculty — come to Boston! Also, Boston in October is gorgeous. Also, Malcolm wrote the foreword to my first book. Hope to see you here!

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*AND if you’re interested in these kinds of events, you need to know about

Story St.

It’s an online catalog of Art & Faith events that the world has needed for years now. Please use it ~ my friend Elizabeth over at Exile Aesthetic created it so that we can all find Art & Faith events or let folks know about such events. You don’t have to be the official organizer of the event to submit the info, it’s just a way of circulating wonderful opportunities! Elizabeth, you’re a genius.

https://artandfaithevents.com/

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Further up & further in,

Anna

Working on that first line…

Counting syllables, iambs, trochees, feet!