Sivanea

creative projects by Daniel Hardman

Joseph

1990-09-02

See Genesis 49:1-4,22-26.

Standing at the parting place My soul must choose its ben. The excellence of dignity with outstretched fingers beckons me, and proffers with an easy smile — calm as muddied water, sweet as a she-slave's eyes. I know you, oh unstable one: sorrow's first ben-oni. But shepherd-strengthened archer calls though sorely grieved and separate, to fly along a master's halls for coat of priesthood hue, and crown, and place in God-King's retinue. Oh dreamer clean, I know you too. Striding from the parting place, my mind shall choose its ben. Joseph is his name. Joseph is his name. Joseph.

a forking footpath in the forest
Two roads diverged... Image credit: AI+

Comments

  • Nephi, 2014-08-11:

    I'm flattered that you asked about my poem, Nephi. The older I get, the more I see almost mystical significance in the act of naming; in regards to people, it can be an act of moral agency — a theme I'm exploring in my current novel. This poem shows that I was thinking about that topic a long time ago, I guess. "Ben" refers to the Hebrew word for "son" (as in David Ben-Gurion), and it alludes to the story of Jacob and Rachel naming their youngest son as Rachel died in childbirth (Genesis 35:16-18). Although the child was named Benjamin ("son of my right hand"), Rachel called him Ben-oni ("son of my sorrow"). It is interesting that Jacob's oldest son, Reuben, also has "ben" in his name. Leah gave him that name because she was pleased to bear her husband a son; the name means "See the son." With this context about how "ben" has been significant in personal names in Israel, most of the poem is an allusion to the contrasting patriarchal blessings of Jacob's two birthright sons, Reuben and Joseph (whose name means "he [Jehovah] will increase"). See Genesis 49:1-4,22-26. The speaker contrasts Reuben-like choices of deception, adultery, and selfishness with Joseph's choice to run from Potiphar's wife regardless of consequences, and observes that Reuben was the first (and truest) "Ben-oni" in the family. In a way, we beget tomorrow's versions of ourselves through the choices we make each day ("my soul must choose its ben"). The poem expresses a commitment to beget the speaker's future self as Joseph, not Reuben.