Day 19--National Poetry Month--Rhyme Royal--My Incredible Elder Brother

Today it's time for a Rhyme Royal. It's a septet, meaning it has seven lines and a complicated scheme. If you'd like to know more about the Rhyme Royal, and/or septets, go here. And the Poem, ladies and Gentlemen:

MY INCREDIBLE ELDER BROTHER

Jesus Christ, the God of this mortal world

Has healed the sick and brought the dead to life

Gave us His perfect heart in service furled

Healed wounds once born of grief, foul war, and strife

If I forsake my burdens and my knife

The Savior takes my broken, battered heart

Shows me the way to live the better part.

At times I cannot lift my drooping head

The darkness closes o'er and claims my soul

Mistakes envelop leaving my soul dead

I cannot recognize eternal goals

Until the Spirit His instructions doles

And I remember what my Brother taught

I can shuck off the chains which Satan wrought

Before grave judgement bar I do quiver

My lifelong deeds pass before my face

Because of dreadful acts I quake and shiver

With utmost kindness Christ reviews my case

He then extends His full abounding grace

If I have done my best to use His path

Forsaken selfishness, envy, and wrath

© 2019 by H. Linn Murphy