Abigail 2013
Abigail! Why do you cause me such pain? Is this torment all I have to gain?
You chastise me as if I were Nabal! Not true! When my heart only aches and longs for you.
Do my past sins make me less? In your eyes, I am guilty, I confess.
But what defense do I have to plead? When I am judged year after year with no heed.
Like a mountain beaten down to the plains, I am driven by the wind, my spirit wanes.
How can I bargain when all have sinned? Forgiveness I seek, but none has been given.
Circumstances tore us apart, it’s true. But I have returned, hoping for a breakthrough.
Yet, I am scorned and left in despair. I ask for forgiveness, but you don’t seem to care.
Will this trial continue year after year? Will my heart continue to break and tear?
The sandstorms turn the plain to waste, Driven by the wind, my soul is disgraced.
Bitterly I wail, my heart in pain. Have I been as Nabal, so vain?
Abigail!, why do you torture me so? Is this the fate I have to undergo?
Abigail
Responses
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I watched a production of The Crucible yesterday, so this name Abigail caught my eye. Who is your Abigail? And who is Nabal? I’m sorry you’re hurting xo
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Nabal I wrote in my twenties and as many marriages go went through a 6-month separation. at 29, but we reconciled. In my forties I revisited the poem Nabal to consider the events from my husband’s point of view. We have been together now for 35 years.
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great story!
love that for you both xoLikeLike
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From the blog
About the Author: Sarah B. Royal
Sarah B. Royal’s writing defies convention. Her poetry and prose traverse the boundaries between structure and spontaneity, often weaving together philosophical inquiry, cultural reflection, and personal narrative. With a background in experimental literature, she is known for crafting works that challenge readers to engage intellectually and emotionally.
Her acclaimed palindrome performance play, 777 – A Story of Idol Worship and Murder, showcases her fascination with mirrored storytelling and thematic symmetry. In o x ∞ = ♥: The Poet and The Mathematician, Royal explores the intersection of poetic intuition and mathematical logic, revealing a unique voice that is both analytical and lyrical.
Royal’s collections—such as Lost in the Lost and Found, Haiku For You, Lantern and Tanka Too, and the WoPoLi Chapbook Series—highlight her commitment to neurodivergent expression and poetic experimentation. Whether through childhood verse or contemporary fusion poetry, her work invites readers into a world where language is both a tool and a playground.
Sarah B. Royal continues to expand the possibilities of poetic form, offering readers a deeply personal yet universally resonant experience. Her writing is a testament to the power of creative risk, intellectual depth, and emotional authenticity.
WoPoLi 
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