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 choice—
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.