I knew he loved her better: a tragic poem about Rachel and Leah

As children we played together, sweet maidens, sisters two
Laughing at our secrets, gently playing as we knew
father came and bade me work
I saw him as I went
he kissed sweet Rachel's brow
like she was heaven sent
            And I knew he loved her better, he loved her better that I knew
            I knew he loved her better, that I would never do.

As women I stayed in the house, Rachel with the sheep
how free and beautiful she looked-- I so plain, unseen
Father's nephew came, alas!
My heart gave a thrilling twirl
His eyes saw not my yearning heart
but the younger, prettier girl
            I knew he loved her better, in the depths of my heart
            I knew he loved her better, at that moment in the start


Seven years handsome Jacob laboured
His wage to be Rachel, whom he favoured
 The time had passed so fast. His love propelled him on
But father had a scheme
In the dead of night I came to Jacob in her place,
my heart could only dream
           I hoped he loved me better, one night of blissful wed
           I thought he loved me better... but in the morning, in our bed
                      he looked upon me with dread...
                            in anger he said...

It was Rachel he desired, for whom he loved so dearly
my father said I must marry first, tradition said so clearly
They agreed upon another seven years
such a short time to be his only bride
but my weak eyes could not allure him
with pain I realized
              My husband loved her better, I the wife, unloved
              My husband loved her better, I was not enough

The time came too fast, when he and Rachel united
I was not the favorite, I was simply slighted
God had mercy on me then
I bore him a son
I thought this would gain affection
but still he favoured one

Again a son, Again a son
Why could his heart not be won?
Rachel's womb was barren now
I was producing heirs
His heart was still entangled
with the likes of hers

Rachel grew in jealousy
she wanted a child, to bear like me
she offered her servant, I offered mine
it became a game
so many children
with so many names
             But I knew he loved her better, I was bitter and undone
             I knew he loved her better, my sister had won

When at last she held her own child to her breast
It was evident to me that Jacob liked him best.
As the years passed on and on
many events occured
but even though I was there
his love for Rachel never blurred.

And when she died giving birth to a second
our love for each other was hardly mended
The strain of love and hate, and pain
as children did or did not come
In the end it was all vain
had one or another really won?

            I knew he loved her better
            Always that I knew
            They always loved her better
            I bitter, through and through.