[237 H] [8]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - SCENES FROM THE GOSPELS - PART 8
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 H] [8]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - SCENES FROM THE GOSPELS - PART 8
THIRTY-SIX
Clouds are rising in the west,
At the driving winds’ behest.
Showers soon, be manifest.
To the south, desert way;
That wind blows - “Hot,” you say.
All you frauds, can judge each day.
======================
Hypocrites, these signs you learn.
But present times, can’t discern.
Thus to God, you cannot turn.
You can’t judge, what is right.
Understand, now your plight.
Upon the Lord, set your sight.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
THIRTY-SEVEN
Mustard farmer, took his seeds,
Ploughed the field, and pulled the weeds.
Hoped the crop, would meet his needs.
That plant, should have grown,
After it was sown,
To the height, that was known.
======================
A monstrosity, it grew.
Filthy birds of evil, drew.
Wicked roots of doctrine, strew.
The church, was perverted.
To evil, reverted.
By Constantine, subverted.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
THIRTY-EIGHT
From the desert, drifted in.
Clothed himself, in camel skin.
Locusts, honey; food for him.
In the River Jordan,
Baptised repentant man.
John - forerunner in God’s plan.
======================
Jesus, one day, to John came.
He had no sin, had no blame.
“Lamb of God’ - John knew His name.
“Baptise You, can not do!”
Worthy not, to touch shoe.
Baptised rather, I by You.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
THIRTY-NINE
To the Lord, a man did run,
Good of life, offences none,
“Eternal life - what is done?”
“Murder not. Do not steal.
Not lie, defraud. Be real.”
“All these I’ve kept. What new deal?”
======================
“For you to gain, God’s abode,
Go and sell, your treasure trove.”
With that comment, that man strove.
Decision made, he left,
Sad of face, joy bereft.
‘Twixt him and life, a great cleft.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
FORTY
Bartimaeus sat alone,
Begging by some roadside stone.
Blind was he and all alone.
“Pity, Jesus, show me.”
Crowd chides. Louder calls he.
Son of David, hear my plea.
======================
Jesus stopped, and to him called.
Rose up from where, he was sprawled.
Sprung to his feet - was not stalled.
Coatless stood, with the Lord.
Viewed the One, he’d implored.
His faith, confirmed, had restored.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Done around the third quarter, 1997
Metre: 7-7-7-6-6-7
Ron Ferguson