PURIM POEM - ESTHER'S TALE

Esther's tale

Adar the 14th day is near, It means that Purim is almost here

But if in Jerusalem you'll be, Then it's the 15th for you and me

In synagogue we tell the tale, Of Haman's evil and the Jews' travail

On Purim day we have to eat, A festive meal that can't be beat

Eat the meat and drink the wine, It's Se'udat Purim in its prime

At the meal we'll sing a song, And parodies we'll play along

We'll drink the wine until we burst, And can't tell Mordechai from Haman cursed

Until we can't tell Mordechai from Haman, This is what I'm really claimin'

 Purim is a feast of plenty, You drink until you can't tell one from many

Share our plenty with the poor, That's our dictum now for sure

Give shelakhmones to each other, For every sister and every brother

The Megillat Esther do we read, Telling of her famous deed

How did Purim get it's name, From "pur," the work for lots, it came

King Ahasuerus did abide, In Shushan town by the river side

Yes, in Shushan that fortress town, Dwelt Ahasuerus of renown

Banquets he gave very many, The tables laden down with plenty

King Ahasuerus ruled the land, With Queen Vashti by his hand

But Vashti one day, though she was his treasure, Gave this mighty king much displeasure

He banished her from his sight, His courtiers ran from him in fright

He sought a new queen far and wide, To come to live there by his side

Many women did he spy, But only Esther caught his eye

Her Uncle Mordechai stood by the gate, To try to see his niece's fate

And there he heard plots against the king, And told Esther of everything

And when Esther heard of the horrid plan, She to the king quickly ran

Thus Esther did the plotters foil, Their plan against the king to spoil

But then Haman the king did elevate, For Jews this was not a cause to celebrate

Haman, you see, the Jews did hate, Them he only wished to denigrate

Now Esther she did have a plan, To ensnare this evil, wicked man

She prepared a feast for the king, Who did not suspect a thing

And with her bold and witty chatter, Haman she did quickly flatter

He thought he was an honored guest, So proudly he did puff his chest

She asked advice on how to serve, Honors to a man who them did deserve

A man who did serve the king well, And did in the town of Shushan dwell

And Haman, thinking it was he, Responded with a bit of glee

Well, "ride that man through the town, And with clothes him richly gown", Thus was Mordechai so rewarded, And the first plot of Haman thwarted

But madder still did Haman get, The Jews so sorely he wished to beset

He wished to keep everyone in his thrall, And the Jews he wished to kill them all

But Esther with a listening ear, Did of this evil plot soon hear

This latest threat made Esther cry, To think her people they would die

And when the king he saw her woe, He asked her what made it so

He learned the cause was Haman's deed, And ordered punishment with deliberate speed

Thus Haman paid with his life, For causing the Jews so much strife

So spin the grager at Haman's name, He was the one from who troubles came

Let's celebrate our foe's demise, By drinking wine and eating pies

Or maybe snack on a hamentashen, And do some other little noshin'

Think of the queen whose name was Esther, Who saved her people from disaster

Read each year the whole megillah, You will get a real big thrilla'

Now you have heard Queen Esther's tale, Where the plot of Haman did surely fail

And once Purim is finally over, It's almost time for Passover