The Midnight Cry

As the sun smiled and fadeth behind the clouds
The yawning earth uncloak her beauty to the moon
Halfway through the night, a clock strikes ‘12’ too soon

Virgins carried a lamp and a vessel of oil
Eagerly waiting for the groom’s appearance
Abounding in devotion, patience and perseverance

Virgins grew weary and fell asleep, at midnight a cry was made
“Behold the Bridegroom cometh”
Here He comes and there the band of virgins goeth

Virgins begin to trim their lamp
But five neglected to watch and to pray
They never anticipated so long a delay

“Oh no! Our wasting lamps is dying out by day
Please give us of thy oil!
Please spare us a little of thy toil!”

“No! We have no oil to spare
Lest our lamps burn with dim flame
The groom is come already, lest He vent blame”

The unwise virgins were shut outside the banquet hall
They were left anguishing in gross darkness
In a night of eternal and unredeemed blackness

Both parties were taken unaware
But one was prepared for emergency
As their lamps continually glow with fervency

We have come to the last time
Let your lamps burn and not quenched
And be not a passive warmer on thy church-bench

The Poet Preacher © 2013
Command the Israelites to bring pure, pressed olive oil to you for the lamp, to keep a light burning constantly.-Leviticus 24:2
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

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