The Esther Poem

By
Bill Strickland

Was near the end of a six-month party

Great King Xerxes was feeling hardy

He declared this was the day

To put the Queen on display

Sent some Eunuchs to get Queen Vasti

She replied, "I don't mean to be nasty ...

But I ain't comin"'

Well, this sort of conduct we can't commend

Among the women could start a trend

Before more ladies are beguiled

We'll put Queen Vasti in exile!

So, the queen is out the door

Male dominion is safe once more!

One slight problem does remain

There is no queen in this domain.

Who shall we get-for Vasti's place ...

Well, the fairest maiden of form and face

We'll search this kingdom up and down

Until this beauty can be found

No expenses will we spare

For one who will the Kingdom share.

A Jew named Mordecai was in this city

His niece Esther was very pretty.

(we're talkin' drop-dead gorgeous if you know what I mean!)

She found favor when she was seen

By the man looking for the queen.

And when complete in the one-year training

She was chosen to be reigning

With the King!

Meanwhile,

in the palace underground

We find a plot is comin' down

Mordecai sitting by the gate

Overhears two crooks relate

Their plan to harm the king

He tells Esther of the thing

Who ·in tum informs the king

When the facts prove to be true

They execute the guilty two.

Details of this plot unpulled

In the Books are chronicled.

He beheld her standing there

Raised his wand and said come here.

Saw the queen was in a pout

Said I'd like to help you out

Up to half the kingdom, dear

Is what I'd give to calm your fear

Esther said my one request

Is you and Hamon be my guest

At a banquet I'll prepare

Then my petition I will share

So the king and Hamon came that night

But, Esther said it's not yet right

For me to share my heart felt need

Tomorrow night I'd like to feed

You and Hamon one more meal

Then my desire I will reveal.

Okey-Dokey said the king.

Ramon's heart was filled with glee

The king and queen are thrilled with me

Were the sort of thoughts he had

That night while going to his pad.

Until his eyes saw Mordecai

Who did not bow when he passed by

His anger did not get control

Until his wife and friends he told

I am a favorite of the king

But that will never fully bring

The joy that I'd like, you see

Mordecai won't bow his knee!

His wife replied

That ain't so tough

Just build a gallows and string him up

That will end this Jewish ploy

And tomorrow night you can eat with joy.

Command some men and give them warning

Build that gallows before morning!

Hamon' s heart so full of malice

Would seek approval from the palace.

But, unbeknownst to Hamon's clan

A sleepless king would foil this plan

His mind alert he could not snooze

He chose to catch up on the news

While chronicles were being read

It was revealed He could be DEAD!

Two doormen had conceived a plot

To kill the king but it did not

... work

Because of Mordecai

What honor can I give this guy

That would be fitting for a man

Who saved the king from hurtful hand

Who's in the court that I might ask

The proper way to do this task?

It seems that Hamon just came in

The king said over here my man

What do you think a king should do

For someone to show honor to?

Hamon thought It must be me

I'll make this what I'd like to see

I think that honor would be found

By robe and horse and kingly crown

And then a herald of proclamation

For this royal situation

Through the city streets, they'd go

So that everyone could know

The honor a man can gain

When he's a pleasure to the King!

That is the plan that we will try

Go do all that for Mordecai!

So, Hamon took the robe and horse

And obeyed his king, of course

He gave Mordecai his ride

And then went home without his pride

Told his wife of the event

Then off to Esther's place he went

To keep the date that had been made

Not knowing of the plans now laid.

The king and Hamon both are there

And Esther is prepared to share

Much more than just a banquet meal

Her mind is on another deal.

Between the wine and appetizer

The king again said he'd oblige her

Anything her heart desired

Just tell him all that she required

Esther said I mean no strife

But I would like to save my life

And all my people from termination

That is my solicitation

The king at once became irate

Why who this deed would perpetrate

Esther then exposed the foe

That the king desired to know

Who conceived this awful plan?

Hamon is the wicked man!

What shall I do the king inquired?

With one who evil so inspired?

There is a gallows very high

That Hamon built for Mordecai

Just standing empty in his yard

To convince the king was not hard

On these same gallows so nearby

Hamon would be hangin' high

Then to stop the insurrection

Every Jew would have protection.

So, in summary of our tale

We find that justice does prevail

Hamon hung high as a steeple,

No harm came to Esther's people

The king is happy with his spouse

Oh, Mordecai got Ramon's house

And every year on a special date

This story's read to celebrate

A gracious time of joyous news

The feast of Purim for the Jews!