Samson Captured By The Philistines Poem by gershon hepner

Samson captured by the Philistines,
next to a peaceful mountainside by Balthus,
taken from the battles lines
that left Beirut where laws of Malthus
were followed closer than conventions
once codified by Moses, but ignored
by Samson, like the terror Übermenschen
who Beiruti peace processes deplored.

How different from the Bernese Overland
where Balthus’ lonely figures all respect
each other’s space, and seem to understand
that temples built for worship can be wrecked
not just by Philistines, but those whose error
is based upon belief that only they
have direct lines to God, and turn to terror
when those who are their enemies would pray.

Inspired by a Guercino painting (1523) , “Samson Captured by the Philistines, ” saved from Beirut in 1979. In an exhibition honoring Philippe de Montebello it is juxtaposed at the Met to a painting called “Mountainside, ” by Balthus (1936) .

11/13/08