The Wives of Potiphar and Pilate

In 2014, a good friend did that which many young people do, rejected the advances of an older lady … and found himself disabled by her on social media.

I wrote this and knew that this unhappy individual could see it. We never heard another word from her. And soon my friend’s account was re-enabled.

Art by AI

There is a curious stirring
amid the masses.
Disquiet at youthful genius.
A young man to be shouted down
and if, in their bounds,
to destroy.

A woman indelicate
decides upon vengeance
in her hapless hour...
Disabling - her tool!

Oh yes …

… the perfect answer
to this young man's
misunderstood musing.

This young man’s rightful
rejection of her advances.

A latter-day Potiphar's wife,
she who would grab a man’s cloth
then, chastised, shout

rape, rape … he raped me
See I hold his loincloth
as he made his escape [i]

… a woman who, if it be known,
would incur the wrath
of a very wise lady
millennia ahead
aeons aback now...

Pilate's wife.

On your way sweet lady!
You cannot out-say 
the mind of genius.
You cannot outwit the
five standing guard
around their charge.
Unseen, very present.

You are wise enough,
no doubt,
to recall a great man's words.

After all, you’re old enough
you might even recall them …


Go on, google it.
You are very comfortable,
and assured
in cyber life …
that I know for a fact!

This man I speak of
stood in dark and fearful days,
when he and his people
stood alone.
Alone against impregnable might
but harken well dear lady,
… alone only seemingly.

But in the hallowed precincts
On the Floor of the
Mother of Parliaments,
when the world scoffed
at his People's plight,
he served due notice
not upon his temporary,
albeit hapless, victor.

But to that other great Germanic People
labouring under that
Petty, Vindictive Tyrant.

And he sent a message 
the gist of which went thus...

Do not do this...
If you do
we, the British People
and our Dominions beyond the Seas
will bring the whole World against you
just like last time.[ii]

But they thought our man
A bellicose, tired and repellent individual
... though truth be told ITMA...

ITMA? you ask …[i]

'it's that man again'
to their beloved tyrant
in his nightmares...

Never was the day good
when that megalomaniac
tumbled out of his bed
muttering
es ist wieder dieser Mann

Ermmm!
Ponder well sweet lady
your predicament …

Lay one finger on this young man
and I will bring the whole world against you.

I fear nothing,
I fear no one,
I fear not a petty vindictive woman,
I fear not the odour of an old man’s envy.

You have had your day.
Now pass on by, or pass away.
And if you really must linger
then do me the courtesy,
pass by on the other side
and keep your social distance.

Be gone! Be warned!

25 September 2022
All Rights Reserved

© Kenneth Thomas Webb 2022

First penned on 2 February 2014, Liverpool

 [i] Genesis 39

[ii] Winston Churchill

[iii] ITMA - “It’s that man again'“