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The Cornerstone

He bore our cross, redeemed our home,
freed us from death, robed us in white.
Christ ransomed us; we are His own.

His glory and dominion known,
the Father’s Son, His pure delight-
He bore our cross, redeemed our home.

He left His glory and His throne
to cleanse us in God’s holy sight;
Christ ransomed us; we are His own.

The Lamb of God cursed and alone
wore stench of sin to cure our plight;
He bore our cross, redeemed our home.

“Into your hands” His final moan
God’s grace bestowed that day of night;
Christ ransomed us; we are His own.

On Easter Morn He crushed the stone;
bathed human hearts in holy light.
He bore our cross, redeemed our home,
Christ ransomed us; we are His own.



Joyce Josephson








Author notes

Form: Villanelle ~ written in iambic tetrameter

The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the Lord has this been done
it is wonderful in our eyes.
This is the day the Lord has made
let us rejoice in it and be glad.

P s a l m 1 1 8 : 2 2 – 2 4

Whose love is more beyond the call of duty?

In a list

A contest entry

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Comments

1 - 55 of 55

  • Lyndon gold member
    June 29

    Edit | Reply

    Iambic tetrameters used reasonably well

    although some stresses do fall on less important words.
    This religious villanelle is formal, building on the Psalmist's text.
    You have had something to say. This has been said well, in a disciplined form. It is always worth saying things that are obviously truistic for you.
    Does one learn to feel differently or gain insight? Each reader will treat this question differently.
    Thank you for your entry. Lyndon of the Winklings.


  • paulcreates silver member
    June 24
    Edit | Reply
    I love that this message is wrapped and woven into a Villanelle. Wonderful job!
    Paul


  • Sharon Marie gold member
    June 16

    Edit | Reply

    absoloutly beautiful

    I loved every word Heleft His glory and His throne
    yes He did indeed and He too has risen . Its nice too read poems that speak of Gods glory in christ
    he is our all sufficient Savior. I'm glad I stopped into to visit my poems need so much work and I put my trust in God and He has led me to this sight for reason I don't know exactley why but I know He has a purpse and a plan in everything we do. I am also a New Englander I read you were to in your profile.
    Blessing's!
    Sharon

  • The Iambic Tetrameter works wonderfully in this Villanelle, and packs a much more effective punch
    that the standard Iambic Pentameter would have had in this instance. A really terrific poem that was a pleasure to read. Best of luck in the contest.

  • beautiful

    This is a wonderful poem that I surely have learned from. Much luck in the contest!


  • Poetess12
    April 24

    Edit | Reply
    This is a wonderful poem and it is so true. "We are His own"

    Thank you very much for your entry


  • Carly Pop gold member
    April 15
    Edit | Reply
    thank you so much for entering. Beautiful poem


  • Samplette gold member
    April 12

    Edit | Reply
    A beautiful Villanelle...I liked it when I first read it, and even more so now. Beautifully done.
    Sam

  • it is my pleasure to read such lovely words of praise for our precious Savior
    Gorgeous
    God bless you my friend...


  • debilynn gold member
    March 28

    Edit | Reply
    wonderful wonderful! this is about the hope and faith we share in God. it's a beautiful write. He is our cornerstone still today. He is reject by some. it so great to see that this touches others through poetry. thank you for sharing your amazing talent. keep writing dear poet! God bless you always


  • Glenda L Hand
    March 18

    Edit | Reply
    This is a great poem but I think once someone has the gold with it, they should not reenter unless it is a contest for gold trophy holders.


  • Frodofan silver member
    March 14

    Edit | Reply
    Overall, I like this.. It's very nice. I like the repetition of "he ransomed us." I think you did the form nicely.

    The line, "“Into your hands” His final moan" bothered me just a little because "into your hands" isn't all of his final moan.

    Otherwise, very nice work.


  • januaryrain gold member
    January 3
    Edit | Reply
    Amen. Love the poem, love the page, love the message.
    Well done.


  • mystic
    November 2, 2008

    Edit | Reply

    breathtaking!!!

    He bore our cross, redeemed our home
    Christ ransomed us; we are His own

    I absolutely loved this work....thank you (f)


  • ourgirlFriday
    October 31, 2008

    Edit | Reply

    Absolutely lovely!

    Congrats on your previous wins - well deserved! This is a lovely Easter poem; please think of that for next Easter for our reading list. Well done!

  • ecrivain01
    October 16, 2008
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    Congratulations on the Gold trophy.

    thanks for entering.


  • Violinstrings silver member
    October 5, 2008
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    this reminds me of the gospel at church today.


    • Freed by Mercy silver member
      October 5, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      That's right, the Gospel did mention this psalm passage.

      Thanks for you comment.


  • Shining for You silver member
    August 3, 2008

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    well done

    A lovely poem about our wonderful Lord who gave his sinless son to save our souls .What a savour good luck in the contest .


  • 2lullabyhaven
    April 7, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    Awesome Villanelle; thanks for your entry


  • Mirthryl
    November 7, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    A lovely villanelle! Great title, ties in perfectly with your poem and scripture. The refrain of "Christ ransomed us; we are His own" is strong! Lovely page also.


  • Pamela A Lamppa silver member
    October 9, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    BEAUTIFUL. Congratulations on the gold trophy. An amazing Villanelle. Superb poetry. ~Pamela

  • ea silver member
    October 7, 2007

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    This is great. It certainly reads like an old hymn. I'm very interested that it's actually a Villanelle. Well done. Thank you.


    • Freed by Mercy silver member
      October 9, 2007
      Edit | Reply
      Thank you for the lovely comment and clappies, and for the gold trophy. I feel honored.


  • dr3a-martin3z
    September 24, 2007

    Edit | Reply

    wow

    new to this, but, i love anything expressed towards Jesus in a positive way....thank you for this refreshing expression of your love for Him......Drea

  • ecrivain01
    September 13, 2007

    Edit | Reply

    Hmmmmmm.

    Actually, you've done fairly well with this. I wouldn't use "stone" so soon after you used it in the previous line, but other than that, I don't see much that you really need to change. Have you checked out Poet's Market? There are a number of magazines that publish religious poetry and some of them are paying markets as well (meaning cold, hard cash instead of an author's copy.)

  • ecrivain01
    September 13, 2007
    Edit | Reply

    Nothing against religious poems ...

    but we don't publish them. I should have said no religious poems in the rules, but I forgot. I will go change that.

    • Freed by Mercy silver member
      September 13, 2007
      Edit | Reply
      If you want to DQ it, that's ok. I can't delete it myself, because it will remove it from my list. I understand from your page that you are an excellent writer, so if you have any critique you can give, I'd appreciate it.


  • wingsofgold25 silver member
    August 30, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    Very beautiful write.
    An excellent tribute to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
    Thank you for your entry and Good Luck in the contest


  • Swan song gold member
    July 15, 2007
    Edit | Reply
    That is a very good poem


  • earthstar
    July 13, 2007

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    This write is about hope and faith we share in God. This is beautiful write. It may of been wrote for Eater. It great to read any time of the year. Yes, he is our cornerstone still today He is reject by some. You have some nice reader comments. It so wonderful to see that it touched so many people. Keep up the great work. The title if very fitting t this write.


  • yellowrose190
    May 30, 2007
    Edit | Reply
    Beautiful poem. Very well done. Best of luck in the contest.

  • JM Kenyon silver member
    May 16, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    Beautiful, faithful villanelle. Great job carrying the rhymes throughout the poem, none feel out of place. WEll done. s and best wishes always... ~Genie~


  • allfaith
    May 3, 2007
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    wow

    this is wonderful


  • Page Shut down
    May 1, 2007

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    Thank you for your entry

    Very heartfelt words and makes me think on Easter and what Jesus sacrificed for our sins. Lovely form poem. I am not by any means a authority on form poetry but I must say this was a good one.

    Good luck

    God Bless
    Tammy


  • BlackRabbit9x
    April 29, 2007
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    Awesome job.
    This flowed with sincere passion and depth.

    Good Luck in the contest.


  • Tabitha-Robin
    April 14, 2007

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    The stone the builders rejected, Praise God for Jesus, I will never reject HIM. He is my Savior and Redeemer. He is great and worthy of all our praise. This is wonderful write. I felt God's Spirit in this. You have done wonderful with it. Your Spirit flows straight from your heart and soul, you have painted these words of God with such color of Faith. Keep them coming and God bless you always.

    Tabitha


    • Freed by Mercy silver member
      April 14, 2007
      Edit | Reply
      I knew you would like it. Thank you.

      • Tabitha-Robin
        April 15, 2007
        Edit | Reply
        I loved it and will be reading more soon my friend. YOu have much talent. God bless you and you are a blessing to have as a friend.

        Tabitha


  • bethan-gaze
    April 6, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    This is really beautiful. Is this the type of poem that you put in your greeting cards? it should be. You've captured the essence of Easter and all that it means within this superb villanelle. Congratulations! x

    • Freed by Mercy silver member
      April 6, 2007
      Edit | Reply
      I have this poem on the front of my Easter Card, Bethan.
      Behind is a photo of the sky with it's first hints of sunset.
      The quote from Psalm 118 is on the inside, on the left. On the inside right is the greeting:
      May your Easter be blessed with the knowledge that you are His.
      Alleluia! He is Risen!
      Happy Easter

      Thank you all for your kind comments.

  • debilynn gold member
    April 6, 2007
    Edit | Reply
    a wonderful poem written for such a blessed season...thank you so much for sharing this. keep writing brother! God bless you always


  • Katie Lazette
    April 6, 2007

    Edit | Reply

    Haleleuia

    What a wonderful poem. Telling what and how it happened and why we are the ransomed and redeemed. Happy and Blessed Easter.

  • Samplette gold member
    April 2, 2007
    Edit | Reply
    This is a beautiful villanelle. Written to uplift our precious Lord during the Holy week. Thank you for sharing it with us in this contest.
    Sam


  • AliceinPoetryLand gold member
    April 2, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    Wonderful! A most beautiful Villanelle. I love the thoughts in this too. All the best in the contest.
    Gaylene


  • Twins 4 me
    April 1, 2007
    Edit | Reply
    You did avery good job on this. It really captures the spirit of Easter!! Amazing!


  • CountryCousin
    April 1, 2007

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    A lovely.

    This is a lovely reminder of what Easter means and what Christ means to us all. I enjoyed this particular piece.


  • Shakes-spear
    April 1, 2007

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    Very nice

    This is a great write. You have done a really good job with this one. Good luck in the contest, The Shaker


  • Molassis
    April 1, 2007

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    Oh my goodness.. this is SOOOOO beautiful!!! The perfect Easter poem... the perfect message... about the perfect Gift...

    This is lovely and something that I wish I had written... absolutely marvelous!!! Truly a magnificant poem, penned through words of such elegance and grace... awesome form, perfect meter and flow... a 10 clappie worthy piece for sure!!!

    God bless you... thanks so much for entering Sam's contest... best of wishes to you in this contest!!!

    ~Melissa

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