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

Job Answers Again:

Your words can’t vex my soul nor tame;
You have assailed me without shame;
Let it be that I am at fault;
Your words to my wounds seem like salt.

Yes, God has been unfair to me;
O let my fault remain truly;
My cries for justice are not heard;
In deaf ears fall my pleas and word.

He blocks the way that I must take;
Darkness veils my path in its wake;
With glory stripped, I stand thread-bare;
Lost is the diadem I wear.

My hope’s an uprooted tree just;
His fiery wrath rises like dust;
He considers me as a foe;
His troops encamp to plan my woe.

My friends have estranged me in whole;
My brethren have left this poor soul;
All my companions too are gone;
My kith and kin left me alone.

I’m stranger to my handmaids all;
An alien-like, they view my fall;
My servant does not heed my call;
I plead but he stays like a wall!

My breath is abhorred by my wife;
I’m loathed a one in earthly life;
The children young too despise me;
They scoff and laugh at me freely;

Gone are my friends who were so dear;
Gone are the ones beloved and near;
My bones slash through my body-skin;
God hand has struck me for my sin.

Inscribe my words in a record;
Etch them in rock forever, Lord;
Why hound me as I’m less divine?
If only written be my line!

I long to see my Lord and God;
Behold I must before my rod;
The matter’s crux lies within Him;
For crime not mine, my life turned grim!


(5-2-2007)