Editor’s Note: This is a CBE 2025 Writing Contest Honorable Mention in Poetry.
Timbrels aren’t played
in contemporary worship,
like a cappella churches
claim Christ
condemns instruments,
like patriarchy
condemns women
worship leaders,
claiming Scripture’s
clear: God’s
Words weren’t
written by
women—
when God the Father,
Helper of Israel, spoke
through Miriam, woman
prophet, helper of Israel,
singing as His voice,
dancing as His body,
leading His body, Israel,
leading with her brothers,
leading women
and men—
when Miriam led
worship, women cloned
her example: thundering
voices, shimmering
bodies like
waves drowned
Egyptians—
when God inspired
Miriam’s writing,
Moses welcomed
her leadership,
he listened,
he recorded
her song with
his as inspired
Scripture.
Photo by Onur Polat on Pexels.
Related Resources
Rediscovering the Marys: Maria, Mariamne, Miriam
Freedom Fighters and the Law: What the Women of Exodus Taught Me