Judith Beheading Holofernes By Artemisia Gentileschi

In the shadow of the night, a woman stands, Her eyes, as chilly as the winter's winds, Her hand raised high, a sword in her hand, Her face, a mask of pure malice. She towers over a man, his body on a bed, A red river flowing out of his neck, He struggles in desperation, trying to save himself, A killing slice, one filled with hatred. But there is more to this scene than meets the eye, The man she has slain is no ordinary foe, He is Holofernes, the leader of the Assyrians, A warlord known for his savagery and vileness. And the woman, grasping the blade, Is Judith, a widow, a young survivor, And she shall not rest until he is dead, For he has brought only suffering to her and her land.