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Holding Hands (Sonnet Dialogue)

I.

I make strides tentatively across streets,
A child scared to move though the risk ahead
Not able to see dangers and deceits.
Will you hold my hand? I need to be led.

When walking all alone I nearly slipped;
My feet and I almost lost their foothold
A bump in the road met me and I tripped
In my arrogance I tried to be bold

For I had envied prideful arrogance
When I saw the prosperity of the vile
I thought I would join in their lustful dance
It was fun playing just across the aisle

Cut, bleeding, sorely bruised from my fast fall
I take your hand across the street or hall

 

 

II.

 

My hand is waiting there for you to hold
Take it always before you cross ahead
In the love of my arms I will enfold
For haven my wings over you will spread

No never walk in the streets all alone
From danger I will always shelter you
I have called you by name, you are my own
When you fell like an eagle fast I flew

From heaven I soared to redeem my child
As chicks are gathered by a mother hen
I carried you to be myself and smiled
I gathered you in my arms once again

Cut, bleeding, sorely bruised from your fast fall
I will take by my strong hand when you call

Author notes

Psalm 73
BOOK III : Psalms 73-89
A psalm of Asaph.
1Surely God is good to Israel,
to those who are pure in heart.

2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;
I had nearly lost my foothold.

3 For I envied the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4 They have no struggles;
their bodies are healthy and strong. [a]

5 They are free from the burdens common to man;
they are not plagued by human ills.

6 Therefore pride is their necklace;
they clothe themselves with violence.

7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity [b] ;
the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.

8 They scoff, and speak with malice;
in their arrogance they threaten oppression.

9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven,
and their tongues take possession of the earth.

10 Therefore their people turn to them
and drink up waters in abundance. [c]

11 They say, "How can God know?
Does the Most High have knowledge?"

12 This is what the wicked are like—
always carefree, they increase in wealth.

13 Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure;
in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.

14 All day long I have been plagued;
I have been punished every morning.

15 If I had said, "I will speak thus,"
I would have betrayed your children.

16 When I tried to understand all this,
it was oppressive to me

17 till I entered the sanctuary of God;
then I understood their final destiny.

18 Surely you place them on slippery ground;
you cast them down to ruin.

19 How suddenly are they destroyed,
completely swept away by terrors!

20 As a dream when one awakes,
so when you arise, O Lord,
you will despise them as fantasies.

21 When my heart was grieved
and my spirit embittered,

22 I was senseless and ignorant;
I was a brute beast before you.

23 Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.

24 You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.

25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.

27 Those who are far from you will perish;
you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.

28 But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds.

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Comments


  • duana
    November 25, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    Hi there. For me reading this was synchronicity as I was just writing a poem on this very subject (but using the imagry of a carpenter- and of course speaking of the same person). But I was writing this poem because I was contemplating what I really need from God, and I was able to make a list from the poem I wrote, and your poem fills in the most important detail: though our character matters of course, it is God that brings us this maturity by setting for us the greatest example and being our leader as long as we take his hand.

    Nicely done, and the sonnet is the perfect form for this poem.

    Duana


  • Paloszoo gold member
    November 25, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    Brilliant piece of art here, Bob. You've done an amazing job! Your words are strong and solid. Imagery is beautiful! Good luck in the contest!