Songs of Saul and David: Two Poems

I. Saul and the Psalmist By John T Haupt “And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.” I Samuel 16:23 David on the harp Softly plucked the thing for Saul. Soul-stinging, singing, taut catgut ringings, For Saul soothed the night away. Soothed the night away. “kada dadink strum kadunk dinkalingk” Did the harp sweetly say, As David Plucked melodious strains of taut-strung strings and For Saul Soothed his serenaded-night, Strumming his harp ‘till eastern zephyrs un-stilled the stilled air. There morning’s pastel clouds foretold coming day. There Saul in his tent-lair in the desert's wind-sculpted sand gave ear to the lyre, To the lays on his harp that David would play. And so Thus David soothed Saul’s long nights, and chased demons away. © John T Haupt 2021 II. Love Thine Enemy By John T Haupt 1 Samuel 24:4-5 “And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the Lord said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily”. 5 “And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.” “Right or wrong? Wrong or right? Shall I kill Saul tonight?” “Thou shalt not lift up thine hand Against the Lord’s anointed.” David, facing his nemesis, Bowed down before him, Skirt shard in hand, and Thus prostrate, Challenged Saul’s right to rule the land. © 2021 John T Haupt