Dan Lukiv

"Now King David Was Old," poetry Dan Lukiv

An excerpt, a poem based on chapter one of First Kings // "The most difficult of arts," / Said Mary Nutting, sister to / Abishag, Shunem's blossom, / The king's companion. / O Deborah to Rebecca! / Unborn Naomi to unborn / Obed! Sisters, to men and / Women, who heal with the / Warmth of touch and blankets, / And remedies in worn pouches / And strange bowls. Ah! Paul / Too, unborn, and his friends, / "Nursing mothers." Ah! / Let the tenderness and zeal / Of the strong pass on hope / And comfort to the weak, / Even those fading into the / Deeper sleep.