Home » Poems » L. J. Carber » In the Belly of the Beast

In the Belly of the Beast

When I was a young man, I was swallowed by a whale. Like Jonah I found myself in the belly of the Beast and I too called out to God from its deep, deep and infinite blackness... and God released me and I found myself back in my body on the shore. For a long, long, long time that dark whale followed me. I was never safe-- not even on dry land for that beast could go anywhere, and only the Light-- an unique and wondrous brilliance not of this world-- could clothe my naked soul and keep that death-shrouded beast at bay....

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Paulette Calasibetta

Date: 10/22/2021 9:24:00 AM

Congratulations on your inspirational poem! Blessings, Paulette

L. J. Carber
Date: 10/30/2021 8:56:00 AM

Thanks Paulette, and God bless!

Beata Agustin

Date: 10/22/2021 3:27:00 AM

Congrats! Thanks for sharing this, exposing your faith in your awesome poetic style.

L. J. Carber
Date: 10/30/2021 8:56:00 AM

Thanks Beata--go with God always...

Christuraj Alex

Date: 10/21/2021 5:53:00 AM

It's a beautiful (if not real) symbolic work. Great writing. Congratulations!

L. J. Carber
Date: 10/30/2021 8:55:00 AM

Thanks, but alas, it's more real than I like to remember--I'm one counting on grace...

P.M. Richter

Date: 10/2/2020 6:07:00 PM

There are hidden truths behind these stories. Profoundly beautiful.

L. J. Carber
Date: 10/3/2020 7:23:00 AM

Thank you, very much appreciated!

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 10/2/2020 11:17:00 AM

- One year later .... Congratulations on your 3rd place in the contest, L.J. :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

L. J. Carber
Date: 10/2/2020 11:29:00 AM

Thank you, Anne-Lise!

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 10/2/2020 11:06:00 AM

A spiritually uplifting poem, L.J. Congratulations on your win! Best wishes, Carolyn

L. J. Carber
Date: 10/2/2020 11:30:00 AM

Thank you, Carolyn

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 10/6/2019 12:03:00 PM

- Congratulations on your 2nd place in the contest, L.J. :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

L. J. Carber
Date: 10/7/2019 1:30:00 PM

Thanks Sunshine, much appreciated!

Silent One

Date: 10/4/2019 4:01:00 PM

interesting take and use of metaphor.. Congratulations on your placement in the contest..

Tania Kitchin

Date: 9/28/2019 12:36:00 PM

Congratulations on your winning placement with your creative poem.

L. J. Carber
Date: 9/29/2019 10:33:00 AM

Thank you Tania, much appreciated!

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 2/9/2019 4:33:00 PM

The way the whale represented adversity carried through life really got to me, L.J. Like you, I find hope through faith. Beautifully written! Congratulations on your win. There were many wonderful entries to this contest and nearly all of them were difficult to rank. Best wishes, Carolyn

L. J. Carber
Date: 2/10/2019 10:56:00 AM

Thank you Carolyn for the honor-- I don't envy you as a judge--it's like picking your favorite flavor of ice cream when you love almost every flavor!

Silent One

Date: 1/27/2019 8:40:00 AM

Creative take on the contest LJ.. Congratulations on your placement in the contest..

L. J. Carber
Date: 1/28/2019 9:43:00 AM

Thank you, Silent One-- I am very much honored!

Maureen Mcgreavy

Date: 12/13/2018 8:54:00 AM

Congratulations on your win in my contest! xomo

L. J. Carber
Date: 12/13/2018 10:03:00 AM

Thank you Maureen, I'm very much honored!

Gregory Richard Barden

Date: 12/11/2018 11:45:00 PM

Best wishes and sincere congratulations for your win in Maureen's contest, LJ - keep up the great work, and I hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday season! :-)

L. J. Carber
Date: 12/12/2018 9:27:00 AM

Thanks my friend, and may yours be joyful as well!

Line Gauthier

Date: 12/10/2018 9:03:00 PM

Love your poem, LJ. Congrats on your win.

L. J. Carber
Date: 12/11/2018 9:10:00 AM

Thanks Line