Sarah’s lifetime—the span of Sarah’s life—came to one hundred and twenty-seven years.
–Genesis 23:1
And Sarah died
and Abraham commenced weeping
and Abraham commenced weeping
tore his clothing, fell to his knees wailing.
Then Abraham rose, walked slowly until
Then Abraham rose, walked slowly until
he found a cave surrounded by olive trees and fig,
cedar and lilac. He sought out the price
cedar and lilac. He sought out the price
for the cave and the land surrounding
and struck a bargain.
and struck a bargain.
Abraham sat all night with the body
of his beloved that he bathed tenderly,
of his beloved that he bathed tenderly,
then wrapped her in a linen shroud
whiter than sand. In the morning
whiter than sand. In the morning
he placed her silent body
on a narrow limestone shelf
on a narrow limestone shelf
inside the smooth walls. He walked
outside and sealed shut the opening.
outside and sealed shut the opening.
