Sister/poet Gives Voice To Women From Throughout The Bible
On the home page of the Corpus Christi, Texas, congregation of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament, visitors find these words from the order’s Foundress, Sister Jeanne Chezard de Matel: “Since the Incarnate Word chooses various paths which are always merciful and true, I will let myself be led by the Wisdom of the Incarnate Word.”
From here, it appears that Sister of the Incarnate Word Lou Ella Hickman was led through Biblical history as she wrote the 70 short poems collected in “she: robed and wordless,” published by Press 53, LLC, in North Carolina. In the collection’s introduction, Press 53 Poetry Series Editor Tom Lombardo tells readers that “(Sister Lou Ella) and I discussed how very interesting it would be to read an entire collection featuring the voices of the women from the Bible.”
Very Interesting? Yes. This reader, however, prefers the word fascinating to describe these almost-six-dozen short poems.
Anyone can read “she: robed and wordless,” in one sitting. Sister Lou Ella’s poems are not long. What they lack in words, however, they make up for in impact.
Let me offer a suggestion when you are ready to begin the book. Start with the “Notes” on page 77 – after all the poems. By doing so, you will be able to connect specific Bible passages to many of Sister Lou Ella’s poems about the women in them.
Here are a couple of examples.
In “eve’s lament,” Sister Lou Ella writes as Eve, reflecting in the aftermath of her son Cain’s decision to kill his brother, Abel. For perspective, read Genesis 4: 1-16. Here is “eve’s lament:” “a curse is now my skin … his bitterness plows the earth … Cain’s mark was also mine … every shame is carried like a dead child … now we the thistles which briar everything.”
Another fascinating (to me, at least) example is “mary, lazarus’ sister,” which is born in John 11. John recounts how Jesus, upon hearing that Lazarus – the brother of Martha and Mary (the latter having washed Jesus' feet and dried them with her hair) – “is ill,” ultimately raises him from the dead. Sister Lou Ella writes about the time after he “came back” to them. These are the words: “when he came back to us … his cheeks flamed white … his eyes tight from darkness … he talks to little now … each word measured … he listens … and he waits … in a shroud of reasons all his own.”
Sister Lou Ella and I have corresponded about her book and this review. I have taken much too long to write it; she has been much more patient with this reviewer than I would be in her position. I am grateful for that because this book deserves your notice.
You really should read “she: robed and wordless.” It is available from a variety of online merchants – including Walmart! – and I suspect any of our local bookstores could order it for you.
I suspect that you will read it and re-read it … as I have.
“she: robed and wordless” by Sister Lou Ella Hickman; ISBN978-1-941209-25-; published by Press 53, © 2015.
