Sarah Burkholder

Rebekah’s Diary is a collection of twelve poems that chronicle some of the significant aspects of the life of Rebekah, the wife of Isaac and the mother of Jacob. (Based on Genesis, chapters 24-28.) The artist was drawn to Rebekah’s strong, resourceful character and her relationship to her God.  She was a woman with courage, willing to make difficult choices, take risks, act in faith, and live and die with doubts. These poems are displayed in a handmade goat-skinned portfolio that rests on a loosely woven sheep’s wool shawl. Each poem is printed on a piece of unbleached linen cloth.  As the viewer reads the poems they are invited to touch the linen, the wool, and the goat skin to more closely connect themselves with Rebekah’s experience.

Rebekah’s Diary

 

Jacob’s Epiphany

The sun sets, the shadows fall

You must stop your frantic flight

To rest in some forsaken place—

Alone you face the coming night

Unholy ground will be your bed  

A large cold stone will cradle your head

 

Vivid dreams disturb your sleep—

There’re angels all around

By whom they’re sent, how they come

Or why, you’ll never know

They’ll once again be heaven bound

Before the night is through

 

And when they go—

 

Will they ascend a fraying rope 

Of twisted strands of hope

Until they  lose their grip

And then return with lightning speed

To crash upon the earth and bleed—

Just to try again? 

 

Or will they clutch a ladder tall 

That sways but never falls?

And climb with steady hands and feet

Until their mission is complete

And then float down to earth again

Unscathed by their descent?

And while you sleep—

 

The Seeker finds your resting place

And gently calls your name

Her voice is clear, it’s wrapped in grace

The words of blessings that she speaks

Are more than you can grasp—

Much more than you could ask

 

The Seeker will accompany you

No matter where you flee

Your offspring like the stars in space

Will be your legacy

As night dissolves in light of day

You glimpse her fleeting face

 

With fearful heart—

 

You quickly look about

And reach for rational thought

But then you know beyond a doubt

You’ll never be alone

It’s sacred ground on which you rest

And you have been supremely blessed

—By Sarah Burkholder

About Sarah

Sarah Burkholder, a retired public health nurse and a poet since childhood, grew up in the mountains of Virginia. Many of her poems highlight the natural world around her. Her use of vivid imagery brings the words of her poems to life. With a keen ear for rhyme and cadence many of her poems have a lyrical quality. In addition to her poetry, she frequently writes Calls to Worship for Sunday Worship Services at her church. She now lives in Indianapolis with her husband.