I am Jacob
A poem by Judith Felsen, PhD
Born in conflict
hatred and love
resentment plus revenge
familial mileu packed with lies and secrets
desperation and trickery
death and trauma…
what have I become?
… a refugee escaping to survive?
a hero braving unexplored lands…
a frightened brother alienated and despised?...
a Patriarch of G-d’s choice forging new territory
in His name…
born in unrest
baring secrets of the past
who am I?...
a tzaddik speaking G-d’s truth?...
an actor in maternal drama?...
a participant in the business of business
and culture?...
setting precedents for the eons to come?
Identity revealed in nocturnal struggle
attachment to self broken in bone and mind
yoke of heaven installed
ready to journey home
having become Father’s son Israel
from Jacob
emerging, maturing…
I was Jacob… I am Israel now…
J. Felsen, Ph.D.12/10/24