They said to him, “Where is your wife Sarah?” And he said, “There, in the tent.” Then one said, “I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent entrance behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?”
Why did Sarah laugh?
NOT - as some would have us believe
because she lacked faith
NOR out of the sheer joy at the prospect
of resurrecting her beloved’s sexual prowess
(she believed in miracles after all)
Not even at the absurdity of being 90 and pregnant!
Sarah laughed
because all through this patriarchal narrative
when she was moved from pillar to post
continually used and abused
her body touted as a guaranty and token
at the whim of men playing power games
it was hilarious that her body
should call their bluff
carrying within it
the seed of a nation
Sarah laughed as a warning:
Be careful what you wish for
A woman’s body
will not be diminished
will not succumb
to the flagrant disregard of men
and their games of submission
or dominion
but will rise up
confounding scheming plans
returning with laughter
bone shaking laughter
Of course Sarah laughed!
