Why Did Sarah Laugh?
Pentecost 3; Genesis 18:1-15
Why did Sarah laugh,
listening in the tent,
not out with the guests,
though she’d made them cakes,
quickly, as he said?
“She will have a son!”
Abraham was told,
standing by the three,
offering the food
others had prepared.
Menopause had passed –
childless she remained;
Ishmael, Hagar’s child:
Abraham’s first son.
Promises were late!
Why be offered birth
past her use-by date?
Sarah had to laugh,
then deny, for fear
men might think she mocked.
Trust four men to plan
she should have a son!
No-one thought to ask!
Laugh for all the times
she felt set aside.
Her old body faced
risk and stress and pain,
then the constant work
babies tend to claim.
God, she had to laugh!
Faith of patriarch
Scripture has acclaimed.
Sarah’s rueful laugh
sums up years of tears
waiting women shed.
Barbara Messner 15/06/2023
Barb, poet priest 
What a wonderful glimpse into Sarah’s spirit. Laughter for unshed tears is brilliant. I first read the poem in an email, which didn’t include the photo. That image is perfect.
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Wonderful! And my favorite detail in the passage. She laughed not that she would have a child … but that she would have “pleasure.” Looking at Abraham … well, maybe.
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