A Letter Home To Rome'

My dearest Claudia, 

     For eighteen months, I've been at this Jerusalem outpost.
     "Tis you and young Julius that I miss the most.
     This wasn't the adventure I set out to seek-
     At least, not until this past week'
     
     A local rabbi rode a donkey into town,
     While people were throwing palm branches down.
     Many proclaimed Him to be their "King."
     The Jewish leaders vehemently denied such a thing'

     They arrested Him and a riot ensued;
     My squad was called in to get the masses subdued.
     Back and forth, they sent Him- through several mock trials.
     The prisoner maintained His silence all the while.

     "He's a traitor to Rome," the priest and leaders cried.
     And the crowd wanted Him crucified'
     A "Royal robe" they made Him wear
     Then His own cross He was forced to bear.

     With a thorny crown jammed down upon His head,
     It was off to Golgotha He was led.
     Lifted up between two thieves,
     The day turned black and I wanted to leave'

     Then I heard my Centurion say something very odd:
     "Truly this is the Son of God'"
     Buried in a borrowed grave- as if in a womb-
     I and my men guarded that tomb.

     Then some time during the middle of the night,
     The rock was rolled back 'midst a blinding light'
     

     In the morning some woman came to that "prison,"
     But two beings inside said "He has Risen'"
     This week's events have so drastically changed my life.
     That I was compelled to tell you of them, my beloved wife.
     
                                                                                           Your Husband Octavius




                                                                                     Arthur Ball (h.S.L.P.)
                                                                                     April 16, 2006

Copyright © | Year Posted 2009



Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

123
Date: 11/16/2012 2:04:00 PM
God works in mysterious way. Light & Love
Login to Reply
Date: 10/18/2012 9:03:00 PM
Robert, here I am with a be-lated :-) congratulations with your wonderful win in the " April, 2011 Contest " It is very nice to see you on this winning list..*'.*'.*' hip hip hooray. Good night :-) always~ PD
Login to Reply
Date: 2/19/2012 3:16:00 PM
Goosebumps aside-what a simple interpretation of my Lord and Savior Jesus' resurrection. Maybe you want to submit to Guideposts and bless Christians around the globe. Janet your sis-in-law to be :>)
Login to Reply
Date: 2/5/2012 3:37:00 AM
Thanks Robert for your kind comment. I have read this poem before. Excellent rhyming and rythm! I also liked you imagined scene - shows great creativity. God bless, Maureen
Login to Reply
Date: 1/16/2012 5:18:00 AM
Great poem, Robert. Well written! It's late, but congratulations on your win! Cheers, Maureen
Login to Reply
Date: 12/7/2011 2:03:00 AM
interesting piece, this is a great one. My mentor increases day by day. You are one. My regards.
Login to Reply
Date: 11/7/2011 7:13:00 PM
An ancient story that blooms anew in this fascinating verse. The story and rhyme are precise to keep the reader involved to the very end. A worthy win! :)
Login to Reply
Date: 10/15/2011 7:59:00 AM
In order to write great poetry one must read the greatest poems....that's why I am reading yours! Awesome win here, Robt.
Login to Reply
Date: 9/18/2011 6:15:00 AM
Excellent poem Robert, love this viewpoint, a soldier's watch. Beautifully written.
Login to Reply
Date: 9/10/2011 9:26:00 PM
This is sooo amazing Robert! Congratulations on your wonderful win; truly deserving indeed! Love, Annalise
Login to Reply
Date: 8/29/2011 7:47:00 AM
A hearty and holy congratulations to you Robert for a terrific win
Login to Reply
Date: 8/28/2011 9:57:00 AM
CONGRATULATIONS for this terrific win together with your astonishing written masterpiece~~~smile ~~~*-*jun-jun
Login to Reply
Date: 8/23/2011 8:41:00 PM
What an amazing verse Robert, so filled with meaning and the terror of that time. A well deserved win in the contest and I am so happy for you
Login to Reply
Date: 8/23/2011 8:00:00 PM
Congrats Robert on your terrific win in PS International contest with this awesome write luv..
Login to Reply
Date: 8/23/2011 4:09:00 PM
Congrats Robert on your placement in the Poetry Soup contest. Vince
Login to Reply
Date: 8/23/2011 3:43:00 PM
Congratulations April, 2011 5th Place Contest Winner! Outstanding write. Loved it! Caryl Ramsdale
Login to Reply
Date: 8/23/2011 7:44:00 AM
Congratulations on your placement in PoetrySoup's International Poetry Contest Robert. I am very happy for you. Love, Carol
Login to Reply
Date: 8/22/2011 10:37:00 PM
A beautiful narrative made even the more beautiful by rimes, Ball. Congrats.
Login to Reply
Date: 8/22/2011 8:15:00 PM
a personal retelling congrad's on your vision winning! Light & Love
Login to Reply
Date: 8/22/2011 4:40:00 PM
Congratulations Robert on your win!This is excellent.
Login to Reply
Date: 8/22/2011 2:49:00 PM
...congratulations to you Robert for achieving a spot in the winners' list in the April 2011 contest...i loved reading today...:)
Login to Reply
Date: 8/22/2011 12:36:00 PM
I am happy to see your name on the fifth place in this international contest, Robert
Login to Reply
Date: 8/22/2011 10:52:00 AM
Great job, Robert. Congratulations and enjoy your winnings. Agape, Moses
Login to Reply
Date: 8/22/2011 10:08:00 AM
Congratulations Robert on your fabulous Soup win with this wonderful write. Enjoy your honor, I enjoyed the read. Caryl
Login to Reply
Date: 8/22/2011 9:36:00 AM
Dear Robert, Congratulations on your success in Soup Admin's contest. I'm so happy for you! Love, Carolyn
Login to Reply
Ball Avatar
Robert Ball
Date: 8/22/2011 9:42:00 AM
Thank you very much my new found friend, if you remember you encouraged me to enter this poem into this contest finishing fifth is an amazing thing to me, God has blessed us my friend with the power of the verse, maybe we can and will make a difference, how's your health? God bless
123
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetics
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
Store
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter