[237 A]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - SCENES FROM THE GOSPELS - PART 1
They are here to enjoy! Scenes from the Gospels are very special to me. I love them. They have taken a lot of effort, and many, many months revision to get them as correct as possible with the difficult word limitations. Primarily they are meant more to be read aloud, than read silently as normal poems. They require voice flexibility and expression/intonation/varying speed.
I have placed commas in places where commas don’t normally go but they are there for a distinct short pause. The word before the pause has a more marked emphasis and the first word after the comma is emphasised on the very first syllable. It is like each line is in two short parts. There is inflection and expression in each line. For example –
See him sit, . . . . at Jesus’ feet.
Satan’s power, . . . . met defeat.
In his right mind, . . . . now discreet.
After a while you will feel a balance - I hope! There are twelve of these sections with 5 short scenes in each. The particular incidents are not named here but are done so at the end of my originals, in a table. I don’t think you will have much difficulty identifying them.
They are all written in two stanzas of six lines each with the rhyme scheme: A-A-A-B B-B. The same metre is used throughout: 7-7-7-6-6-7. I trust you will enjoy these and catch something of the excitement of these Gospel incidents.
The incidents written about are both parables and stories of Jesus.
{{Matthew 13:10-13 The disciples came and said to Him, “WHY DO YOU SPEAK TO THEM IN PARABLES?” and He answered and said to them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted, for whoever has to him shall more be given and he shall have an abundance, but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. THEREFORE I SPEAK TO THEM IN PARABLES because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.”}}
{{Luke 1:1-4 “Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word have handed them down to us, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus so that you might know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.”}}
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ONE
Throughout that dreaded region,
Lived the demonic, Legion.
People feared, with good reason.
By demons, he was bound.
No restrainer, was found -
Smashed shackles, left on the ground.
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See him sit, at Jesus’ feet.
Satan’s power, met defeat.
In his right mind, now discreet.
Displayed across his face,
God’s glory, we can trace -
Demonstration, of God’s grace.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
TWO
A certain man, two sons had.
While at home, they made him glad.
One departed - made him sad.
Walked out, with his estate.
To destiny, a date.
God, with him, did not rate.
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Money spent - debauchery.
His income gone - he’s hungry.
Sells himself, to slavery.
He, only cornhusks earned;
There, in the pigpen, spurned.
To his father, he returned.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
THREE
Festive time, of marriage came,
To Jesus, before His fame;
Before others, knew His name.
The wine was, depleted.
The groom’s joy, defeated.
The guests, felt they’d been cheated.
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“Fill the pots, right to the brim.”
God’s power, was seen in Him.
Left them not, out on a limb.
The best, they had tasted.
This wine, won’t be wasted!
The guests, were now elated.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
FOUR
Mary sat down, at His feet.
Martha laboured, in the heat -
Food prepared, for them to eat.
“Tell her, Lord, to help me.
Can’t she see, I’m busy
Showing hospitality.”
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“Unto Me, she’s come apart.
She’ll not forfeit, her choice part,
That shows devotion, of heart.”
The good part, Mary chose,
To leave, life’s cares and woes.
Sweet retreat, from all life’s foes!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
FIVE
The disciples, on the lake,
To try the other side, to make,
Left fair water, in their wake.
The windswept lake, grew wild.
Belching waves, high were piled!
No place, for adult or child.
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“Wake the Lord, without delay!
We can’t hold the sea, at bay!
We are hopeless, in this fray!”
Rebuked, for faithlessness,
In the face, of distress.
The Lord dispelled, their helplessness.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Done around the third quarter, 1997
Metre: = 7-7-7-6-6-7 AAABBB Ron Ferguson