Best Handmaiden Poems

He hath become religious of late
prostrated before the virgin Mary
Cornflower blues blown to wild violets
and thin lines puckering in concentration

Prayers spilling in loud sputters from his mouth
She hath listened a time or two
to testimonies led by callused hands
Run lukewarm holy water upon him

Coaxing gentle promises...

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Carry to the king full flagons of wine,
this is your handmaiden’s duty mercy divine
Free-flowing ambrosia nectar fruit
mixed with stolen, silk tears of satin soft slavery
Pear-shaped heartache plucked,
a yearning branch uprooted from the bloodline tree
Comely cupbearer of the golden chalice,
harem handmaiden — 
pleasure prisoner in an...

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A unique form of hatred,
stereotypes and prejudice, 
they decipher realities.
Forgotten the same father, 
Ibrahim, Canaan families.

Who loving safe, warm, faith,
in the same lands.
Hagar,
Sarah.

Buzzing claims, 
devout homes and beliefs,
attempted annihilation,
superseded born, sibling rivalry.

Pardon, end.
End, end, endeavour destruction....

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A higher 
but hidden presence 
than God
Surrounds his nature
eternity’s
pod

Existing over
and deep
within
Its seminal essence
 forever
begins

Averse to our choosing
and freedom
blind
Professing nothing
but itself
in kind

And blacker
than the 
blackest hole
Obverting time
remains
— untold

(Villanova University: May, 2025)

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