You asked me what I see
Upon the stakes of Calvary?
...I see a sword and I see wars.
I see a billion deaths
then I see billions more.
I see deception’s silversmith
iconic chains around men’s necks.
I see, in cedars Solomon blessed,
works of the idol handed unrest;
while praising God, please separate,
their temples from the rest.
(Those our brothers make)
I see a child bound and placed
Up on an alter Abraham made.
A father’s, screaming faith exhaled,
before merciful escapes.
One kindness undeserved
confirming another's, painful wait.
I see God's son, on Adam’s tree,
through wages of sin he is raised.
Yes, I see a culling sword
then finally, I see peace.
I see an Almighty sword
impaling mother Earth,
piercing veils of sheol
pointing heavenwards.
Still everything I've ever seen
staring straight back to me.
Humble eyes, peering into mine.
They see through my vanity,
whisper; into all of me,
quietly,
calmly,
...whispering,
“Forgive them Father,
they know not what they do.”
I see all of those before us
all of our offspring
those who lived and died;
reasoning, excusing.
“He was not speaking to me?”
And I the worst of these.
You asked me what I see
in drawing of Calvary?
I see Satan bound to a dead tree,
its bark stripped clean
its fallen leaves,
drying things,
trampled beneath eternity,
I see the sons of men
set free.
Had you asked me, what I heard?
I heard a Father's screams
cross...into our infinite
from his eternities,
before a releasing son's soul spoke mercifully;
“Father it is done.”
January 2008
Author notes
poem on seeing a painting of the three stakes of calvary. Feb. 2008
A contest entry
- I WAS ROBBED!!!!!!!! (Invite Only) by ten thousand cicadas.
1800 points, ended April 10, 2008, 11 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - CONTEST: Looking for poems, That will make me say: OMG! This is awesome! 810 points by echo-ink.
600 points, ended July 15, 2008, 58 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Catch my Attention by SCADstudent.
809 points, ended August 7, 46 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 17 of 17
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I see a billion deaths
then I see billions more.
Wow, really good strong spiritual write. You summed up the bible's history very nice. Awesome!
Thanks for entering.
7/10
- Blue
beauty
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It is done, this is soooo true, He did it
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Magnificent write filled with deep thought and strong imagery. A Christian poem that's not pablum, that makes the reader concentrate and think. Deserves gold and more.
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Definitely a poem that makes me say "OMG! This is awesome!" Very deep and moving write, Michael. Well done!
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AWESOME, OMG
so much expession of the death of our Lord, and the evil designs of satan, (uncapitalizaed on purpose)
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WOW, a supremely intense poem. I love how it held my attention right the way through. Your imagery is superb...the second and third stanza's are so captivating they make me want to paint them.
Thank you so much for sharing this, and for taking the time to enter my contest,
Luck. -
An outstanding poem. I have never read a poem on calvary written from the point of you 'What do I see'. It's brilliant. Best wishes and thank you for entering.
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This is brilliant...
Such history brought to life in poetic excellence..
Beautifully done, Michael!
Lynda
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Excellent stuff, Michael. You have touched upon so many of the themes of redemption, showing both utter depravity and absolute freedom. This is almost like a history of the story of redemption, completely inspiring. Wonderful!
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Extremely powerful and emotional. I just enjoyed the read and The rhyme scheme was so subtle but it was there. Great job with this and thank you for entering!
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btw. love the implications of the title.
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This was phenomenal. You used such amazing allusion. You wove a masterful history and touched on multiple signficances of Calvary. I was so impressed with the depth of this, as well as the emotive power. Wonderfully penned, my friend.
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Awesome!!
Wow, this is a very powerful poem. The words you use are so beautiful and so moving. Salvation..can there be a better poem topic? Good luck in the contest. -
strong work..
inspired and emotional..so much happening. Epic effort..
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Two of my favorite quotes in the Bible..Forgive them Father, and It is finished...sure, I could expound all day with other quotes set to dazzle, but those few words cut right to the bottom of it.
Wonderful,
Jin
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Thank yu Bear. There are a few things in this world that can only be dispensed from a full cup. Three of these are truth, faith,and love. To partake of a cup with a little truth you are left with a lot of lie. A cup with little faith leaves a lot of hope. One that contains even a lot of love still leaves the bitterness's of a little hate. We are none of us perfect we can only hope to improve, each in filling our own cups.
Peace and may God grant blessings through you. -
Hi Michael ~
Check this out..>>>.....calmly, whispering, the say,)..... ~
Other than that....I can not critique such a fine write ~
Yes, there are areas I would suggest punctuation and such....but this is not a contest for pennign perfection grammatically.....this is what you see in the picture.....and I can tell it spoke volumnes to you ~
Well done.....and thank you for entering,
.....may God be by your side until the end of time here on earth,
Bear ~
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