It's not my fault! I didn't understand!
After all, handsome slaves are bought to please!
How could I guess he'd rise to rule the land?
At first, when he resisted my command
To love, I thought he wanted to play tease!
It's not my fault! I didn't understand!
All right, I lied! That's water on the sand!
We have to think of now! Plan strategies!
How could I guess he'd rise to rule the land,
That slave we jailed, that Vizier who planned
The grain-silos, and now controls the keys?
It's not my fault! I didn't understand!
Our grain is done... Our lives are in his hand...
Vengeance is sweet!... He'll drain it to the lees!
How could I guess he'd rise to rule the land?
How can the chasm of his wrath be spanned?
Husband, send gifts! Go, grovel on your knees!
It's not my fault! I didn't understand!
How could I guess he'd rise to rule the land?
Author notes
In view of the musical, I imagine that most Allpoetry members will know the story of Joseph in Egypt (and Potiphar's wife!) but if anyone wants to look it up, it is in the closing chapters of the Book of Genesis.
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A contest entry
- Shakespearean Sonnet and Villanelle. (Invites only,but there are 5 challenge posts available) by masterblaster.
300 points, ended July 9, 2006, 4 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Inspired by Bible stories.... by nightshade10.
625 points, ended December 19, 2007, 18 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - The EGYPT Contest!!! by NooNiThEWitcH.
463 points, ended August 1, 2008, 20 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - The Mysteries of Egypt by Bosiarbooger by Bosiarbooger.
2250 points, ended January 27, 15 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Egypt by Sarin Rayne.
1400 points, ended October 13, 15 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Biblical Characters by darlee77.
1800 points, ended October 25, 14 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Prewrite contest by Blue-Rose Beauty.
600 points, ended November 10, 53 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Sonnets and Villanelles, smudged or not, Round One by ecrivain01.
650 points, ends December 6, 28 entries
• next poem in this contest, • Add to finalists list, or remove from contest
Please do not feel obliged to comment - and if you do comment, please understand that it may be some time before I reply.
Comments
1 - 19 of 19
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Good job here ...
and an interesting storyline to round things out.
The writing is flawless, and the rhyme is well done, if a trifle predictable. However, in the main, this is an excellent write. Writing a villanelle is no walk in the park. It's more like climbing Mt. Everest.
Good luck in the contest. Remember, there will be a second round as well.
Thanks for entering and Happy Holidays.
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It's not my fault! I didn't understand!
After all, handsome slaves are bought to please!
How could I guess he'd rise to rule the land?
Wow, really good poem.
I never thought of what her reaction might be to the whole thing.. I'm sure it was a shock.
Great spiritual write and thanks for entering.
- Blue
beauty
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Good. Thank you for entering the contest.
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Really enjoyed your piece, a good choice for the Egyptian prompt.
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A very intresting write.Very different and I love different.I wish you all the best luck in my contest and please continue to write.
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Well done
A story with a sad ending, we do not always see what is standing in front of us. Thank you for the wonderful entry and best of luck to you -
I think the villanelle is a very, very tricky form to master. It can easily take over what a poet wants to say and ruin any flow. It takes a poet of great calibre to bend the form to her will. Congratulations.
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loved this thank you
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Interesting.. and thank you for the note.. although I have not read the Bible or Genesis .. I have a brief idea about the story.
Well done and very nicely put with a form that has always interested me
Keep on writing, and thank you for entering,
Nooni
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What an intersting, unique interpretation of such a cool story. I really like this poem a lot.
I especially find the story of Potiphar's wife really interesting. Did you know that this is one of the few stories in the Old Testament that is also confirmed in the Koran, and in ancient Hebrew writings? It's one of the few stories that all of the major Abrahamic faiths agree on.
Anyway, I liked this a lot. Thanks for entering it in my contest! Best of luck to you. -
Clever, witty poem with biblical allusions. I liked the way that you showed this from her side, and in a way that all women can relate to on some level. I found this quite a funny poem with an interesting use of characterisation. It was a good villanelle which showed her trying to find an excuse and the form which you've chosen supported the excuse style well, as it uses repetition which mirrors the speech pattern of those making excuses.
Pozo
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Wow, this was an excellent viewpoint on one of my favorite stories. I doubt anyone has ever looked at it from this perspective before. Anyway, I read your post in the Sonneteers group, the accusation is rediculous! Wonderful piece here. Very creative.
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The Old Testament story unravelled into a lament , persona - Potipher's wife. Joseph was a great hero for Israelite scribes and readers. Your villanelle is beautifully executed. Congtratulations on the silver trophy. Ron.
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WOW! I love the emotional impact this villanelle delivers. The repetitive lines really add that extra oomph to the poem. I like the imagery and humour of your poem. Congratulations on the Silver!
Charishma
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Hi, a very good villanelle, some people on this site claim villanelles are easy to write and do not agree with them a good villanelle takes a lot of thought.Hugs Dih
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After reading the board from the Sonneteers, and your topic, I see NO foundation in cause of accusations from that other person. From what I've read, this is a perfect sonnet where the lines didn't falter in any means none-whatsoever. Keep penning Vera
Rae
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Love the title. Beautiful form. Excellent imagery and flow. Superb rhyme. I enjoyed the humor of this piece. A well crafted Villanelle. Shelley
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So glad you like it.. And how splendid to find a reader who understands the context. My personal feeling is that Joseph would have given them a good fright (as he did with his brothers and the "stolen" cup) and then issued them a generous ration of grain...
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I love this. It is classic! One dreams of being a fly on that wall...
Joseph trusted God enough to understand his path required his suffering and wasting time (that was really preparation) and that realization allowed him to embrace his reprehensible brothers. His path and elevation allowed him to be in a place to save his family. The brothers were also afraid of retribution, and again when the father died, they begged him not to punish them; so her attitude you capture in the poem is very believable. I hope he was consistent enough in his lessons learned to extend magnanimous action to Potiphar and family.
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