ECHO OF THE DIVINE

Miriam heard the Echo of the Divine Voice,
in the presence of absolute silence.
There was neither cry, nor answer, nor response...
the sound not from the universe,
 but proceeding directly from God.

The days of prophecy
 were coming to an end.
There'd be one final warning.
Miriam was chosen to receive.

She pulled her cloak closer and
tended the stew pot hanging in the hearth.
Her father was out in the field, 
threshing with his flail.
Winter would come too soon.

A dove would appear
 before the Voice was heard.
Miriam knew to still herself to heed it.
God was speaking, 
she opened her heart to receive.

At the gloomy zenith of a day,
the dove came and
 the Voice spoke of an impending threat.
The village folk must take to the caves.

Warriors were approaching with intent 
 to despoil their homes and worse.
They wanted to sate their blood lust,
and collect  slaves for their king.

The villagers at first scoffed her warning.
She was just a woman - 
God did not speak through women, it was commonly agreed.
The villagers went back to the fields.

In the dark of early morn, days later -
smoke was seen rising from the  village.
Those who had ridiculed Miriam's warning,
were slain as theyslept in their beds.

Miriam, her father, and some others
survived the onslaught in the caves,
only to find their village razed to the ground,
when they returned from hiding.

Miriam never again heard
the Echo of the Divine Voice.
She'd survived the massacre,
but at what cost?
Nothing was left of her home 
or those who'd scorned the alarum.


©Ellen Pepper 2026
https://youtu.be/KsV22Hs4GLc