Antipas was one of many heirs of Herod the Great
Morally and civilly, he had fallen from his state.
His kingdom, a collapsed castle, he couldn't reinstate.
Sinning with brother's wife, shamelessness had become his fate.
Like raindrops on a bison, did John's censures sadden him?
Like venom, the wrath of Herodias filled her to brim.
The extant of Baptist, she thought, like a twig she should trim
Didn't she, as a queen, have the right to amuse her whim?
By the fame of Jesus as though life-threat, Herod baffled.
His human and animal instincts between them battled.
Curiousness and qualm, like flatware, within him rattled
Has John resurrected? Physique and Psyche fell fear-grappled
Does the sun fear the darkness? Jesus fulfilled his mission.
To build his realm of love, did he need Herod's permission?
Categories:
herodias, jesus,
Form: Sonnet
I whisper in Eve’s ear:
“Listen to the serpent.
He’s my friend and he’s wise.”
That way I get my revenge.
I hurried out of Eden
Roam all around
Targeting tender females.
“Stand up for your rights”.
Some understand me. Some do not.
My daughter Naamah who hates me!
Andras – Grand Marquis of Hell, discord and rage.
Empusa was a shape-shifting female demon in Greek legends,
Jezebeth was great. She knew.
So did Herodias and her evil daughter,
Oh, there are so many of them.
Can’t mention them all.
Until I was confined to a castle,
No doors to get out.
Just a window high up.
I admire myself,
Dark hair, dark eyes, Dark dress.
My lipstick made from
A serpent’s blood, dark red.
I admire myself
For a moment in eternity
I feel the fire inside me
Until
The mirror cracked from side to side.*
Can you hear a diabolic laughter?
Darn, it’s a fiery furnace around here.
Placed 2nd
Categories:
herodias, evil, hate, women,
Form: Free verse
Herodias with a grudge requested
to Herod that John be arrested
“To bed your brother's wife
to enhance your sex life
is against the law,” he'd suggested.
When Herod had drunk a bottle of wine
Salome's dancing did seem so fine
that in his delight
he promised that night
to lavish a desire to which she inclined.
So she asked Herodias her mother
if there was anything that had struck her
as a suitable gift
from one who was pissed:
“Ask for John Baptist's head on a platter.”
Out of regard for his guests and his oath
Herod felt obliged although he was loath.
So a guard went ahead
to cut off John's head
to satisfy daughter and mother both
Mark 6.14-29
Categories:
herodias, bible, death, gospel,
Form: Limerick