National Poetry Month--Day Vier--Rictameter--Jesus Christ

 

Today I'm doing a Rictameter. If you're clueless of how to do one, go here. Actually I will have done this in the future and posted it to come up in the past.

 Jesus

Keeper of souls

He waits for us to come

Follow the shepherd to the fold

He weeps when we make choices that sting Him

He has reckoned for our mistakes

Though scarlet now are white 

If we listen

Christus

©2021 by H. Linn Murphy

Day 20--National Poetry Month--Acrostic Poem--My Elder Brother

Today we're doing Acrostic Poems (or ABC but I'm doing Acrostic). If you'd like to know more about them, go here. If you'd like to know more about Christ and his role in our lives, go here. In memory of Easter and the sacrifice of our Elder Brother, I give you my poem:

Just as once Christ took our part
Ever on the right hand of the Father
Satan, in opposition took the low road
Until he had lured away a host of the children
Salvation for them was no more

Christ forfeited His life and blood for us
Held high the lantern that we might see
Returning us to the Father's side, his goal
In perfect humility he bowed his head
Said, "Thy will, oh Lord be done."
Took the bitter cup and drank.


My sins He washed away with his blood
Yours, too, He took upon Himself

Every ill, unfairness, flaw he paid
Loving our neighbors the price

Do all you can to meet perfection, He asked.
Ever serve your fellow man
Return good for ill and kindness for evil

Bring back the lost, the wanderers astray
Right wrongs cropped up along the way
Overcome the taint if Satan's power
Take heart in Heavenly Father's plan
Help those who cannot help themselves
Endure with patience all which comes your way
Return with us to Father."

© 2019 by H. Linn Murphy

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

Free Verse Poem--Easter Poem--National Poetry Month

This is a free verse poem for Easter:

 JESUS CHRIST

He was just a baby

Lying there

Cradled in manger hay

In far away stall

Poor, forgotten, lowly,

In spite of 

Mother's royal pedigree

Son of David,

Son of Ruth 

Son of GOD.

He was just a boy

Helping carpenter step-father

Pick up the shavings

Filling hands

With winsome service

Loving the mother

Who wanted Him 

He was a boy learning to be His Father's son.

He was just a man

Changing water into wine

Putting off temptation's power

Healing a leper,

A blind man,

The Dead.

Friend of the friendless

Keeper of sheep

Seeker for lost souls

Nourishing,

Beckoning,

Teaching.

Bridging of gaps

And righting of wrongs

He did His Father's work.

He was just our Elder Brother.

A weary wanderer

He went to the garden

To converse with His Father

He begged that the cup

Could be lifted away

But instead, 

Took it up and drank

The bitter dregs

He poured out his blood

For the ills of this world 

And prepaid for 

Life's Unfairnesses and our sins

If we but seek and serve Him.

He stood our ambassador, arbiter, and go-between with God.

He was just a prisoner

Hunted and found

Betrayed for silver, for safety, for fear.

Flogged and spat upon,

Dragged to and fro,

They yelled at and defiled Him

And tore at Him in fury.

As he stood

On that nail

In the midst of the storm

He forgave us

And blessed us

And after rising again

In silent majesty,

Quietly went

Back to the Father who sent Him.

He is just the Way,

The Truth,

The Light and Life.

The keeper of the keys

Of Eternity

Builder of worlds 

Lighter of the way back

To Father in Heaven's side

Cup of Endless Water

Bread of Life

Harrower of Death 

He is just the Beloved Eldest Son of Most High GOD.

© 2017 by H. Linn Murphy