[237 E] [5]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - SCENES FROM THE GOSPELS - PART 5
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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[237 E] [5]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - SCENES FROM THE GOSPELS - PART 5
TWENTY-ONE
Such a rich, and fertile field!
No plots like it, meet its yield!
Produce, into barns, was wheeled.
Tear down barns, and build more!
Bigger ones, need to store.
Crops, now overflow the door.
======================
“Soul, rest up! You are secure.
Go party, eat, drink, and tour!”
This world - most attractive lure!
“This night,” God commanded,
“Fool, your soul’s demanded!”
Ignored his God - he floundered.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
TWENTY-TWO
“Troubled not, your hearts let be.
Believe in God, and in Me.
I will guard, your destiny.
“My Father’s house graces
Many dwelling places.”
Nothing there, e’re disgraces.
======================
“I go away, to prepare
Places, for each of you there.
Let not hearts, be in despair.
I will come back, again.
With Me then, you’ll remain.
The Way, Truth, and Life, I reign.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
TWENTY-THREE
Sellers, of their merchandise;
In the Temple, stuck like lice;
Scurried all around, as mice.
Dove sellers, that day, rue.
Money, around He threw,
Tables and seats, overthrew.
======================
The animals, fled away.
People watched, in mute dismay.
Merchants ran, without delay.
“My house - a house of prayer!
Not a thieves’ den, or lair!
My God’s glory, He’ll not share.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
TWENTY- FOUR
If one, would Jesus follow,
Some think this hard, to swallow -
Carry your cross, not wallow.
To Christ, must be allied.
Self - that must be denied!
From God’s resources, supplied.
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But you! - Keep life, and lose it.
My sake! - lose life, and keep it.
Take up your cross, and bear it.
Whole world gained, but soul lost?
Profit not, at that cost!
No exchange, for that impost.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
TWENTY-FIVE
Should we tax, to Caesar pay?
Hoped with this, Christ to betray.
This, another trap, they lay.
Well, Jesus knew their guile.
Their ways, and thoughts so vile.
Bitter, was their cunning bile.
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Penny, sealed the question fast.
Entrappers stood, all aghast.
Caught in the net, they had cast.
What is Caesar’s, is his.
What’s of God, for God is.
Truncated - their fowler’s quiz!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Done around the third quarter, 1997
Metre: = 7-7-7-6-6-7 AAABBB