It's not what it seemed
Yaweh's hand had slipped
pouring out the passion fruit
Mutuality and equality
was not present in the garden
One vessel half full
The other overflowing
Adam spent all day
pondering the wonders of nature
Eve spent all day looking at Adam
waiting and waiting
The smart serpent whispered
soft charmlets in her ear
beckoned her to come over
to the pommegranate tree
He played the strings of her heart
which Adam could not do
Told her to eat the pomme
the forbidden fruit
She did so willingly
without hesitation
Would have eaten the entire tree
if he had asked her
And if Adam was testing Eve, seeing if he wished to spend eternity with her? Holding back from sharing and giving until certain. Permitted by God, no mistake, to leave the serpent be. The pomme proved too tempting, she succumbed, and Adam paid the price for doubting the choice of his God. And Adam and Eve lived unhappily ever after down through the generations.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting observation. Maybe we should collaborate on a poetic interpretive version of genesis:)
ReplyDeleteTrue too true. Though your interpretation supports the thousands of years of interpretation used to oppress women - but with a vengeance. Perhaps throwing it back in the teeth of the offenders will work, though there's a bit of what Nietszche might call ressentiment present, I think. Better to call a spade a spade and let the sinfulness play itself out, showing how even here the taint of sinfulness occludes the eyes and turns keeps us from seeing where the guilt truly lies, in the human heart.
ReplyDeleteGreat take on the story of the fall...full of symbolism and various layers of seduction.
ReplyDeleteCressida, I loved this irreverent look at the Bible. I'm a pastor's wife, but we are the United Church of Christ (Congregational roots, social justice), and I view the Bible through a questioning spyglass. Witness two completely creation stories in Genesis 1 and 2...
ReplyDeleteThank you for using the pomegranate rather than the apple. Much more culturally appropriate in that climate. And the whole "it was all Eve's fault" business? Adam didn't bother to engage in questioning the idea. He just ate. (Some things never change, wink!) Peace, Amy
Here's some of my music, lyrics included - a bit lighter fare...
http://sharplittlepencil.com/2012/03/30/bring-back-my-heart-song-included/
He ate the pomme because Eve (woman) is supposed to have been so seductive and irrestible that Adam (man) cannot resist her entreaties and bows to her will and whim.
DeletePFFFFT! We all know how true this is...dont we gals? If only!
Novo, we couldn't possibly collaborate on Genesis. We are hearing different stories and it would be fraught with disagreement. Unlike human poets, who may not always fully appreciate their intent, the 'God Poet' knows His and it is for us to discover through His voice.
ReplyDeleteWhatever interpretation one places on it, Eve was used against Adam for a malign purpose. Mutuality and equality were present in the Garden - that's what the serpent hated. In the end, his head was crushed by the New Eve and his scheme undone by the New Adam.
Oh Doddles...TS (too serious)..please don't post my heresy papers in the mail!
DeleteI love the humanization that you bring to Eve, the possible scenario for how it all went down. You have a gift for looking at the story and bringing it to life. I am not schooled enough to make political commentary but I see the possibility of relationships and communication issues with humans and how it has always been our downfall. Thanks for this :)
ReplyDeleteLol! I'll see it's sent electronically. My post is serious, sorry. My Jewish heritage, I guess, but Genesis isn't a Greek myth it's Judaic in form and content.
ReplyDeleteI like your take on this aged old story...we are always looking at the tree with different eyes ~
ReplyDeleteIs it the eyes or the voice we hear?
ReplyDelete