Jacob dreams of his son Joseph - poem

Judaism, Spring, 1997 by Sarah Singer

Joseph's brothers, who were jealous of him, had sold him into slavery, but told their father, Jacob, that Joseph had been killed by a wild beast. They brought back Joseph's coat stained with blood to corroborate their story.

Beyond loss, You are ten once more, Come toward me In this familiar place, Now as before, Arrayed in light And sound of limb.

Are full of talk About your bright new coat, And what Judah said When the old ram Strayed from the flock, And the white goat You raised and fed Followed you home.

I listen, rapt, Give you bread And barley cake, Hold you close Again, again Until I wake.

SARAH SINGER is the author of three books of poetry, the most recent of which, The Gathering, appeared in 1992. Her work has also been published in anthologies and periodicals. Among her awards are five from The Poetry Society of America. She is a member of PEN, The Poetry Society of America, Poets & Writers, and other literary groups.