lugs the severed
head of (Holofernes)
arrogant commander
brutal conqueror.
Overseer of cities
' ruin. She
can smell
the blood seep
from cloth, drip
as she walks
back across
enemy lines.
Woman of (God)
beauty beheads
the general
in his bed.
Drunken, tumbling
the lusting man
caught unawares
in her silken
thread, gilded
trap. His head
greening, stuffed
in a sack
by her faithful
maid (Abra), partner
in the act.
Two pious women
together deliver
(Israel). (God)’s
hand through
hers executes
the knife.
(Judith)’s story
depicted best
not by Caravaggio
but a woman
(Artemisia), only 19
her weapon
of choiceβ
a paintbrush.
(Holofernes) a stand-in
for (Tassi)
her mentor,
her rapist.
Her body
tortured twice:
first by him
then by interrogators
at her trial
who wrapped cords
‘round ringless fingers
though her hands
were a gift
from (God). “This
is the ring
you give me
and these
your promises,” she
said to him.
“It’s true
it’s true
it’s true”
her vengeance
vicarious through
a series
of paintings. Through
(Judith)’s wrath,
a reckoning.