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Sacred Voices: Women of Genesis Speak

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In Sacred Voices: Women of Genesis Speak, Sherri Waas Shunfenthal examines, through numerous poems, the thoughts, emotions, and actions of the women who inhabit the pages of the first book of the Pentateuch, fleshing out "the silence / between words." She writes also of the extrabiblical character Lilith, who has in this age become a sort of poster girl for the modern feminist movement. And, despite the title of the book, she also presents the voice of Miriam (of Exodus fame). Noticeably and regrettable absent from the montage of tales is that of Tamar, daughter-in-law to Judah. Although I have some very serious theological objections to the book, for the purposes of this review, I would like to focus on the finer points of the collection. (If you wish to read the details of my objections, you can search for my website.) It may be a small press publication, but Sacred Voices is impressively presented, complete with appropriate drawings by Judybeth Green, which complement the poems nicely. The author has obviously put a great deal of thought into her portraits, having been informed by Scripture, Midrash, and her own creative passions. Perhaps the most insightful work in the collection is "Lot's Wife," in which the unnamed woman's fatal action of looking back is depicted with compassion. The series of Leah poems are also well-developed. The author's poetry is not defined by any meter or particularly outstanding rhythms, and it is differentiated from prose primarily by line division and the brevity of its sentences. But the poet's very simplicity succeeds in creating a feminine voice (or third person perspective) that seems both sincere and innocent, almost naive. When the poet employs imagery, she is not just following workshop conventions or attempting to impress the reader with obscure associations. Although not miserly with regard to her use of images, similes, and metaphors, Shunfenthal is economic. This economy can make a single, unpretentious line of comparison stand out from a poem with power. When Sarah stands "rooted like a tree," for instance, an image immediately leaps to the reader's mind, despite the simplicity of the simile. However, I must confess that despite these positives, sometimes the overall simplicity of the poetry is a bit too stark for my taste. As a bonus, Shunfenthal adds to the tail end of her book some prose discussion of each of the characters, and much of this is as informative as it is interesting. I was edified to learn, for instance, that the story of Lilith may have originated because of what appears to be the two separate creation accounts in Genesis. These prose sections demonstrate the same simplicity of form as the author's poetry.

Edited by J. Thomas Hetrick and illustrated by Judybeth Greene, Sacred Voices: Women Of Genesis Speak showcases the life of Biblical heroines though Sherri Shunfenthal's lyrical, memorable poetry. From Lillith and Eve to Rachel and Zilpah, the poetry is distinctive, individualized, and melodious. Dinah Speaks: Hear the silence,/between the words./Here the voice pleading for love,/attention. Listen to your daughter./Hear her story./Do not let her vanish/Into history.

I received this special little book as a gift, and each time I browse through it, I thank the person who thought to give it to me. In word and picture both, it is beautiful, original, and inspiring. The artist, Judybeth Greene, has managed not just to illustrate Sherri Waas Shunfenthal's thoughts but to carry their meaning into another dimension, to give them artistic life. Give this book to the special women you know. They will be as grateful as I am.

If ever there was a book for reading group and book club discussion, this is it. First, there is the overall issue of the shadowy off-stage supporting role of women in the bible. Then there is the issue of the portrait Ms. Shunfenthal has sketched for each of the prominent women of Genesis. She certainly brings these women to life like never before, choosing her words with care, giving them a voice they've never had. And herein lies the discussable aspects of the book, is the voice she has imagined for Lilith, Eve, Miriam and the rest the most probable one. Are there other equally valid interpretations? Shunfenthal's poetry serves as the starting point for this long overdue debate. The publisher's choice of monotype prints to illustrate the poems is most appropriate for, as I understand it, the monotype method produces a one-of-a-kind print. And as described in the preface, the artist used the finished poems as her inspiration for creating the monotype, lending a second voice (so to speak) to each biblical woman. I highly recommend the book to everyone, even those not overly familiar with the bible. My only reservation is that the helpful prose commentary on each of the Genesis women at the back of the book would have worked better after each subjects defining poems(s). But this is a quibble! A personal preference.

This book reminds us of what we do not know, what we miss in our tradition--the voice of the women who came before us. The sacred voices are there, and Sherri has listened. She brings us into the possible thoughts and feelings of our matriarchs. She reminds us of the important roles played by these women who are silent in the Bible and/or who are not fully explained in commentary. This book is great to read aloud, to share with women friends, the men in our lives, and children, as it sparks discussion and debate.