Genesis 16

I stumble      in desperate      headlong flight
from the sharp bite      of a woman     empty
of what her god has promised      envious
of what seems to be coming my way
How foolish of me      to flee
into the arms of death      Sun-scorched
& breathless      I make for the well
with nothing to eat     & nothing to draw with
& the child in my abdomen kicking in confusion

I’m met by a man      who gives me a drink
more than a man      who pours hope in my heart
the god of my mistress      the god of my distress
the nameless one      to whom
               since I know no better
I give an intimate name
                         The God Who Sees Me