Robert L. Hinshaw Poet Rhyme

Jonah

The sonorous voice of God woke Jonah from his siesta one fine day,
Saying, "Arise! Get ye to Nineveh and I'll brook no delay!
I've volunteered you to go there and preach in that wicked town,
The people are very unruly - they need a good dressing down!"

"No way!", said Jonah, astraddle his ass to Joppa, fleeing from the Lord!
"If I can find a ship sailing for Tarshish, I'll try to get aboard!"
He paid his fare, went below and promptly went to sleep,
Just as the Lord caused a great tempest to come upon the deep!

The ship was in great peril - the captain shook Jonah awake.
"Hey, dude, call upon your God - see if He will calm this lake!"
Lots were cast to sort out their plight - Jonah drew the short straw.
The crew heaved him overboard and he landed in a whale's maw!

For three days and three nights he cruised about in this condition,
Praying, "Lord, I'll do anything! Deliver me from this perdition!"
The Lord heard him and brought his misery to a pleasant end,
Commanding the whale to regurgitate and deposit him on dry land!

Now this "whale" of an experience converted old Jonah,
And he vowed to the Lord he'd assume a new persona.
He scampered to Nineveh to offer a choice vis-a-vis heaven or hell!
The Lord blessed him, saying, "My boy, you did extremely well!"

Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
(© All Rights Reserved)

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Jimmy Anderson May 15, 2010 at 3:48 PM Hey my friend, just to say thnx for always reading and leaving comments on my writes.. always appreciated, Robert...Jimmy

Carolyn Devonshire May 12, 2010 at 9:15 AM Yes, you chose an all-time favorite Bible story for your poem, Bob. It rings of hope in times of great crises. And as the lord told Jonah, "My boy, you did extremely well!" Great poem! Love, Carolyn

Sara Kendrick May 12, 2010 at 5:13 AM On of my favorite stories also...I did not come to the same conclusion after reading the rest of the story...Imagine what those people in Ninevah thought when he appeared bleached white stinking to high heaven of fish vomit with some seaweed hanging on him...Or do you suppose that he washed his clothes clean in the sea but he still could not get his color back after being in fish stomach acid for three days...How many of us are in the whale's belly in misery because we won't do what God wants.SK

Linda-Marie Sweetheart May 11, 2010 at 8:51 PM One of my favorite Bible stories and an explicit write Bob .. your rhymes can't be beat by any other poet on site.. I think we must be the King and Queen of rhyme cause I don't know many poets who really like to use that form and I so LUV it.. luv from the "Sweetheart"

Ralph Taylor May 11, 2010 at 8:17 PM Excellent script.

Caroline Cécile Delacroix May 11, 2010 at 7:53 PM that is really well written and fun to read, the story of Jonah in your own words. Enjoyed the read, Robert. Thanks for sharing. Best wishes, Caroline.

Ray Dillard May 11, 2010 at 12:25 PM Such fun to read...And a reminder of how mindful a man should be of how he addresses God! Keep up the GOoD work my friend! RAY

Constance La France May 11, 2010 at 10:29 AM Very nicely done, and the rhyming is great. I enjoyed reading about Jona and the whale .. love constance

Poet Destroyer A May 11, 2010 at 10:23 AM you know me Bob. always a pleasure to read. Enjoyment comes more when you give your writes the best spirit on the rhyming . Love it the story about Johna,..p.d