[237 I] [9]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - SCENES FROM THE GOSPELS - PART 9
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 I] [9]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - SCENES FROM THE GOSPELS - PART 9
FORTY-ONE
Twelve years suff’ring, she’d endured.
No relief, had she procured.
All her money, doctors lured.
Healing hope, came that day.
Through the crowd, worked her way.
Seized her chance, without delay.
======================
Hem of garment, lightly touched.
Crowds against Him, often brushed.
Healed one called, her face was flushed.
Go in peace, whole you are.
Faith has shone, like a star,
That disease, no longer mar.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
FORTY-TWO
In His Father’s house He sat -
Parents not aware of that;
Knew not the place, He was at.
Made a search, through each van,
Checked with those, of their clan;
After that, reversed their plan.
======================
Found Him, in Jerusalem;
In the Temple, teaching them.
Perfect knowledge, amazed them.
“Why treat us, Son, this way?
Gone for days! This display?”
Father’s work, they can’t waylay!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
FORTY-THREE
Ruler’s daughter, had just died.
“Lord, to my house, come inside;
You alone, reverse death’s tide.”
Before Jesus, pleaded;
This fact he conceded -
“Lay Your hand - No more needed.”
======================
Jesus followed, in the way,
On the bed, the dead girl lay.
Sent out all, but parents stay.
Took the girl, by the hand
“Arise!” Then see her stand!
Food for her, was what He planned.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
FORTY-FOUR
Useless patch, on garment old,
Unshrunk patch, across a fold.
Stupid move - patch will not hold.
Garment parts, old from new.
Breaks and tears, only grew.
Reform one’s life? Can not do!
======================
Wineskins new, must hold the wine,
Not old skins, fruit of the vine,
Lest asunder burst - not fine.
Patch up lives - foolish move;
Lives stay stuck, in the groove.
True reform! Let it, Christ prove.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
FORTY-FIVE
To Him they brought, one possessed;
Wracked by demons it be stressed;
Blind and dumb - he was distressed.
He was healed - crowd amazed.
Such a thing, left them dazed.
“Son of David,” then they phrased.
======================
Pharisees, did misconstrue.
Evil ideas, they did strew.
Healed through Beelzebub! Untrue!
Blasphemy, then they spoke.
At Jesus, launched this stroke.
Demonic charges, they broke.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Done around the third quarter, 1997
Metre: 7-7-7-6-6-7
Ron Ferguson