I Was a Desert

I was a desert until I learned
to make the sky rain down on me
And I was a barren field until
I planted myself with borrowed seed.

You, you’re a strong one
they say you ground lead into dust with your teeth
But even a strong one
gets lonely at night when he can’t sleep.

All night long I bit my tongue
to keep from calling out your name
Don’t you know the voice of the one
who brought you tea in the early dawn

I’d watch you sleeping
like a lion at rest, so gentle your breath
But when you’d awaken
your shouting would startle the birds from their nest

You did not know
You did not see

Based on the story of Tamar (Genesis 38). How could Judah, Tamar’s double-ex-father-in-law, not have recognized her during their late-night encounter? Had he ever really seen her in the first place?