Judith Returns to Bethulia, by James Morehead

Portrait of a Lady of the Saxon Court as Judith with the Head of Holofernes, attributed to Lucas Cranach or Hans Cranach (Germany) c. 1537 to 1540

Judith Returns to Bethulia

Judith is nonplussed and dressed to the hilt: plushly plumed velvet hat, milky white skin draped in loops of gold, neck guarded with inlaid jewels. Her bodice is snug and shoulders bare, sleeves embroidered wrapped in cords, a hint of skirt with pleats blood red.

Judith’s slender fingers wrap cold-forged steel: finely etched, iron guard, blade unclean with pinkish hints from passing through. Her other hand grips General Holofernes’ severed head by umber hair; brows surprised, drooping eyes dimmed, ever silent mouth agape. His unshaven neck was left unguarded, seduced by Judean wine.

Judith returns home to Bethulia besieged—heads held high, all relieved. ​

James Morehead

James Morehead is Poet Laureate of Dublin, California, host of the Viewless Wings Poetry Podcast, and has published several collections of poetry including canvas, portraits of red and gray and The Plague Doctor. James' poem "tethered" was transformed into an award-winning hand drawn animated short film; "gallery" was set to music for baritone and piano, and his poems have appeared in the Ignatian Literary Magazine, Beyond Words Literary Magazine, 2nd Place - Oprelle Oxbow Poetry Contest 2022, Citron Review, Prometheus Dreaming, Cathexis Northwest Press, and other publications.