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Samson, Tribe of Dan

“Dan is a serpent in the path. He bites the horse’s
heel and causes the rider to fall backward.”
—Jacob, Genesis 49

My father, from the tribe of Dan,
Taught me, far too well, we can
Force the hairpin, serpent curve,
Making horse and rider swerve
One hundred eighty lethal degrees.
And so to thrill my friends and me,
At socials, rendered boredom-free,
My frame so strong is sprawled supine,
And swirls three-sixty, drunk with wine.
 
I travel on the eastern sea
Along one path the faithful flee:
Scarlet blushing harlotry,
Lawless lust—idolatry.
Philistia fondles hearts and minds,
Delila’s beauty softly binds.
She combs my hair, she loves my brawn,
I’ve no idea the toddling pawn
I play for her—she leads, I drink,
We feast and feed upon the brink.
Clink. In prison bare I’m bound,
Hairless, former strength now drowned,
Awash and coldly chained in fear.
And now her brothers, drinking beer,
Display me blind and bound in chains,
Wine and spittle splash like rain.
 
A laughingstock I have become,
But in my glowering gloom and glum,
Unbeknownst to all concerned,
Including me (one-eighty turn!)
My hair has grown—what ancient strength—
From God my Lord, appears at length.
And in the fullness of His plan,
They haul me out once more, their man;
I draw my last geometry,
A curve so sharp they cannot see.
Quick enough: my chains I break;
Column, cornice, roof, I shake,
Stone on stone comes falling down,
“Temple torn by me, your clown!”
O never-boring Father God,
Forgive my path I’d, foolish, trod.
I failed to understand Thy plan,
Yet by Thy grace remain Thy man.

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Alexander King Ream is a writer living in the Northern Neck of Virginia. His work has been printed in Decanto Poetry Magazine, Western Viewpoints and Poetic Images: the Great American West 2015, the Society of Classical Poets Journal, The Rocky Point Times 2016 and in several issues of The Lyric.  Currently, his work has gone to print in the Autumn Journal of The Writers Guild of Virginia, and his novel Canterbury 2020 is available locally in the Northern Neck of Virginia.  A member of the Demosthenian Literary Society at the University of Georgia, he deployed to Hawija, then wrote on Lookout Mountain, continuing to write, lecture and work for Delta Kappa Epsilon International. He was first published reading to the pledge class of Michigan DKE, in Ann Arbor.  

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13 Responses

  1. Paul A. Freeman

    Takes me way back to the 1950s (?) film with Victor Mature.

    Great rhyme and great storytelling, Alexander.

    Reply
    • Alexander King Ream

      Thanks, Paul, for the mention of the film. I wasn’t familiar with it until now. May have to look that one up! Appreciate your encouraging remarks; glad that you seem to be engrossed. Richard Pratt was a Guest Theologian at my aunt’s Presbyterian Church, and he taught about the Genesis 49 tribal anthropology. Dan’s tribe was actually given to 180 degree turns; at times they were effective warriors due to that trait (said trait could serve the good, the bad, and the ugly).

      Reply
    • David Whippman

      I remember that film, Paul. Ironic that the Israelite strongman was played by an Italian-American, while the Philistine temptress was played by Hedy Lamarr, a nice Jewish girl!

      Reply
  2. Roy Eugene Peterson

    This is a great retelling of the tale of Samson complete with his debauchery, debilitation, and death while at last relying on the Lord and His will. Among the lessons I have always drawn from this story is that it is never too late to turn to the Lord and what a way to go by wreaking vengeance on the enemy.

    Reply
    • Alexander Ream

      Thanks Roy – most biblical anthropology (view of man) gets, understandably consumed by “we’re sinners; need the Savior.” Much agreed. Friendly Footnote: Gen 49 outlines types of believers. It applied in the New Covenant: Jesus? tribe of Judah (lion), Paul? tribe of Benjamin (wolf). Naphtali’s tribe? “a deer let loose, makes excellent words.” Dan’s tribe pulled 180s! fierce warriors, non-boring (whether for good, bad, or ugly).

      Reply
  3. Cynthia Erlandson

    Thank you for this powerfully narrated story of Samson. You’ve managed to tell so much about him in such a concise form. “Temple torn by me, your clown!” makes both the visual event, and the inner, emotional event, come alive as Samson is about to die. The hairpin turn near the beginning, and the sharp curve near the end, unify the poem beautifully.

    Reply
  4. Yael

    Wow, good one! This is a great modern re-telling of the ancient Bible story and I really enjoy the rhymes and the quick pace. The four last lines make for a very satisfying ending, thank you.

    Reply
    • Alexander Ream

      Thanks Yael, appreciate your enthusiasm. I didn’t realize it, but you’re right – it does have a quick pace. Samson functioned as an above-ground spy; the Philistines were so arrogant they found themselves blinded to his last 180.

      Reply
  5. David Whippman

    I remember that film, Paul. Ironic that the Israelite strongman was played by an Italian-American, while the Philistine temptress was played by Hedy Lamarr, a nice Jewish girl!

    Reply
  6. Margaret Coats

    Good voice for that man who made a lot of turns unthinkingly, then begins to outline his geometry with your help, Alexander. Very effective biography starting with tribal origin!

    Reply
    • Alexander Ream

      Thanks Margaret – plural types of believers, types of people – they’re all in Jacob’s blessing to his sons. I grew up in church with this view of man: “we’re sinners, and – ” True, then there’s more. There are different flavors of such. Different rhetorical dialects, manners, idiom, “wampum.” I mean, Naphtali is “like a deer let loose; he makes excellent words.” This takes place via contemplation, which has its ups and downs. Late in life, I’ve learned to cultivate the “virtues” of interruption, limited rudeness, backtalk, trading sass, not taking umbrage, ignoring someone’s poor choice of words, dismissiveness, etc. Who’d have thought someone would need to cultivate such as this. Well, some types of folk have em in over-abundance. Not me! I’ve had contemplation in over-abundance, lol. Thankfully, the Son of God is the Word of God: he gets Napthali. He designed him, and knows how to fix him when and where he’s broken.

      Reply
  7. Alexander Ream

    Cynthia – you’re welcome. 11 legitimate types of believers in Genesis 49; Dan’s Tribe was given to 180s – which made ’em fierce warriors and non boring. Judah, like a lion, produced The Lion: Jesus. Benjamin, like a wolf, produced the Apostle Paul. Naphtali? …like a deer let loose; makes excellent words. Def. a Naphtali seasoned Christian here. The Lyric of Jericho, Vermont and The Society of Mt Hope, New York are my chief realms of pub and print.

    Reply

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