Bible Stories: Job (Chapter Xvi) Poem by Dr John Celes

Job Answers Again:

So many times, I’ve heard this sort;
Are you trying to me comfort?
Your windy words blow eternally;
Does sickness goad you endlessly?

Like how you talk, I can also;
With chatter, I can strengthen you;
If only, you were in my place,
Your talk could change its inward face!

By speaking, could I check my pain?
If I don’t still, it comes again;
It will not cease or leave me free;
I nod my head just silently.

But Lo! I am so exhausted;
My friends have left me simply stunned;
You speak so openly of me;
I am the prey to His wrath, see!

My foes are happy at my plight;
Their mouths are wide-open to bite;
On cheeks of mine, with insults, smite;
The list, they make, could I ev’r fight?

To impious, God gave me o’er;
In hands of wicked, I suffer;
The peace I had is gone forev’r;
By neck, He dashed me to sever.

I am the target of arrows,
That strike me with ruthless a force;
My sides, without mercy, they found;
He pours my gall upon the ground!

His arrows pierce me without end;
Unarmed am I, how do I fend?
My skin is sack-cloth covered just;
I’ve laid my brow upon the dust.

My face is inflamed by my weep;
Over my eyes, there’s darkness deep;
My hands have been violence-free still;
How sincerely, I pray, though ill!

Then, cover not my blood, O earth!
Let not my outcry end with breath;
Accursed shall be, day of my birth;
My tears to God are not a dearth!

Behold, my witness is above;
My spokesman high will help me prove;
It is my friends who wrong me now;
I pray for mortal’s justice, Oh!

My numbered years are slipping by;
Prepared am I to almost die;
My journey’s one of no return;
Should I until then, earthly burn?

Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-1-2007