Nachshon, Who Led the Way Trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s army Nachshon listened while others bickered over who would go first. He watched Moses cry and pray. Then he stepped into the water. I close my eyes and imagine Nachshon, moving forward with faith, despite being drenched to the chin. Did he know the sea would split before it covered his head? That Adonai would admonish Moses for offering prayer when action was needed? When my moment on the shore has passed, will it be said I stepped into the water instead of standing back, waiting for someone else to go first?
Jacqueline Jules is the author of Manna in the Morning (Kelsay Books, 2021) and Itzhak Perlman’s Broken String, winner of the 2016 Helen Kay Chapbook Prize from Evening Street Press. Her poetry has appeared in over 100 publications including Amethyst Review, The Sunlight Press, Gyroscope Review, and One Art. Visit www.jacquelinejules.com
Amethyst Review 