a poem
I’ll become even more undignified
and dance for the Lord without my royal robes.
Lyre and musical instruments
to share the heart’s sentiments,
Yet commanding regiments
And rending armor with the sword.
Clothed in violence to defend the realm,
Yet loving to look over sheep,
And remember the time of innocence,
Singing songs to the flocks of worship and reverence.
Who can comprehend?
Who can understand what makes a man?
Loved Jonathan like a brother to the point of saying this brotherly love and friendship
Was a unique kind of kinship.
And also while idle lusting over the idol of beauty
Unbridled power;
Hidden murder, forbidden lust embraced in secret,
But punished in public for guilt.
Son Solomon clothed in splendor,
Ruling with wisdom granted from above,
Yet his pride considered the power of alliances in marriage
Greater than allegiance to the Lord.
Clothed in the most splendid array,
And capable with a sword.
Notably handsome like his father
And son of shame, But son of fame.
When humble and true of heart
Built the Temple
To be a light to the nations.
Changing but one letter in the Torah,
Accumulating wives for himself; his heart darkened.
Driven by self-interest and self-preservation,
He had his fill of engineering projects!
Song of Solomon
Competent and skillful poet.
Father and son both wrestled with God, Israel.
Invited to be intimate with Adonai,
Wisdom beyond all the wise,
Gold, silver, and lapis lazuli
Common among the people, thriving economy!
Vanity! Vanity! All is vanity.
Without fear of the Lord,
All is insanity.
The beginning of wisdom,
The many sins that led the people astray.
Perhaps prosperity prompts our pride,
And provokes that same prideful heart
That loves possessions more than possessing
A heart sold out for the One True Living God.
Both men, the warrior poet King,
And the warrior poet’s glorious son,
Sagacious sage King,
Were the Lord’s annointed.
I admit with all that power,
I would not fair better.
I would also change the letter,
To feed my list inside,
To satisfy my inner pride.
I have gazed upon the roof,
At forbidden beauty.
I have trusted in riches more than the Lord,
And trusted the horsepower and hoof,
More than Adonai, the Living God.
