Tribute to Kim Zerkel

I don't know how this ended up happening, but I stumbled upon Kim Zerkel's Notes on facebook, and was awestruck by the quality of the ideas expressed in her poetry. She writes about what it means to be beautiful, what it means to be treated like a woman, addresses the idea of peace by asking "what is just and what is justice?", and also how we can feel like dirt but that God intends us to be moldable like clay. Here is one of my favorite poems by her:


Modern Hosea

There was a certain man,
God called to,
He showed her this girl,
Hosea,
the man,
sees her,
and knows,
she is the town "whore",
and she is to be his wife,
he never questions God,
and goes to woo her.

They become man and wife,
but this woman Gomer,
sleeps around,
and still shares a sensual kiss or two,
Hosea's parents and friends question him,
about his decision,
but he says,
"If God so wills,
we are one flesh,
she and I."

Hosea also knew,
love goes deeper,
deeper than any wrongs,
no matter how many times,
she tried to flee,
love always fought.

Israel,
Oh Israel,
come back to me,
your Maker,
love goes deeper,
deeper than wrong,
you shall be my bride,
and you make Me smile,
brighter,
than a groom in love.

Gomer,
come to me,
Hosea,
Your husband,
I see you as you ought to be,
close your wounds and open your heart,
let me love you,
I don't see you as a slut,
whore,
or anything the world sees,
come away with me,
let me show you real love,
the likes you never have know,

Israel,
come to me,
Your Maker,
let me love you,
I ask you,
remember who lead you to the promise land,
let Me embrace you,
My people,
sin no more,
and follow me once again,
though you fall and fall again,
I will catch you.

Please come to me....

*

This poem means a lot to me because I feel like people judge others so quickly without looking at the reasons behind why they do what they do or the fact that everyone deserves to be loved in their faults. Hosea being willing to show Gomer mercy, forgiveness, and love by looking past her exterior labels and that being compared to God's relationship with his people means a lot to me. Thank you Kim for expressing ideas in all of your poetry that challenges me and reminds me what is important.

4/15/11