POEM: A Single Woman Argues with Ecclesiastes
Image by Nikki Casey
Two are better than one
proclaimed the ancient preacher.
Because, essentially, together they produce more income.
But what if one cannot work?
And even if both are skilled and able-bodied and employable,
who will watch the children?
Two are better than one
said the son of David.
Because they can lie together for warmth,
and how can one be warm alone?
Thank goodness, then, for down comforters
and modern heating.
Two are better than one
declared the king of Jerusalem.
For if one falls, the other shall lift; woe to the one
who is alone when she falls.
A thought: assisted living.
Another: Life Alert ®.
Two are better than one
continued Kohelet.
For if an antagonist appears, the two will stand against him
with strength one cannot possess.
Here, I have no counter-argument.
I simply—singly—hope for the best.
Erika Dreifus writes prose and poetry in New York. Visit her online at ErikaDreifus.com and follow her on Twitter @ErikaDreifus, where she tweets “on matters bookish and/or Jewish.”
A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.
If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
