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They make me come here at midday so their women won't pay heed to what I say.
I am a bad influence - outspoken, never meek.
What can I do? I speak of what my heart would have me speak.
Not married now, and yet another man has taken pity on my plight.
When first I'd wed I sought to do all that I thought was right.
The views I had at last caused each new husband such distress
That one by one they each divorced me. I had no redress
To seek support from them, and so I married yet again
Until no man would do so. Yet I live as if a wife.
Why should I care if I should sin when I was born into a life
Which from the very books we follow we are told the one to come
Who is Messiah, comes from those who treat us worse than dung?
They do not see the irony. They won't accept what's true.
These books they follow call the one we wait upon a Jew.
Am I condemned at birth? The Scriptures also call
This mighty God a Father, merciful and just.
Because of this I keep from sin. Because of this I hope and trust
That somehow I, too, have a place at heaven's table if I should
Do all that I have in my power to remain hard-working, truthful, kind and good.

(Ms. Segall is music minister at Holy Trinity parish, Cohoes.)[[In-content Ad]]

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