Best Ephesus Poems
In Nineteen ninety-six, our son and wife, Majors
In US Army, moved to Izmir, their new base.
As usual, whatever place they were assigned,
We flew to visit them as well as dear grandkids.
So off we went to spend two weeks in Turkey, this
Outstanding country we had never been before.
So much to see at Ephesus—Metropolis
Of Antique Age; The Stadium, the Harbor Bath,
Basilica, the Marble Road, Heracles Gate—
All ruins now. Were sad to see these wondrous works
Of art and architecture now in disarray
And strewn about on fields on which they proudly stood.
Of varied striking sites in Pergamon, we saw
The City Walls, the Aqueducts, Acropolis,
The Temple Dionysus, that of Trajan too.
So many ages, periods had ruled this place,
Artistic wonders, structures turned to ruins—works
Of Persian, Greek, Roman and more, in pieces lay.
Besides the many ancient ruins visited,
We were amazed that many locals spoke our tongue.
They did their best to make us feel so much at ease,
Were gracious in combined Mid-Eastern/Euro style
Of hospitality and types of food they ate
And served, like cheese, tomatoes, olives of all kinds.
Izmir, a city mixed with culture old and new,
Like modern shops and open markets, outdoor stands
With fish and meats on ice, yet weighed on modern scales.
And women with fine bread on plates held up on heads,
Who walked the streets in morning, dressed in peasant garb;
Yet working business women wore more modern dress.
We ventured to the famous city, Istanbul,
Surprised to see the many high-rise buildings there,
And streets so overcrowded with their vehicles;
Large offices and business centers everywhere—
Ladies with fashion boots, purses and western dress;
Big contrast with those living back in country hills.
Such history surrounds this ancient, distant land;
So many varied cultures ruled their sacred world.
Museums filled with artifacts from centuries,
Safeguarded and in view to honor and behold.
This trip shall always hold such special, vivid thoughts
For us to cherish and remember for all time.
Of course, this one-time trip was many years ago;
We're happy we had ventured then instead of now,
For times have changed; such unrest grows within our world.
Sandra M. Haight
~1st Place~
Contest: Memorable Vacations
Sponsor: Shadow Hamilton
Judged: May 8, 2015
Iambic Hexameter
immersed,
alive to God
this gift by Him,
eternal life:
to trust&
walk in the Spirit
free
from the law
of death and sin:
sanctified
at liberty
within
the riches
of His grace:
working through love
a promise
of life
at peace
saved
and raised:
to sit
together
in a heavenly place:
with every spiritual blessing
then
to
fall asleep
in Him
the Christ
this truth in this poem inspired by scriptures in the letters of Paul to Romans/Corinth/Galatia/Phillipi/Ephesus/ and Timothy
Our inner parts have begun to yearn,
For the blowing of the trumpet’s sound.
The plantings, for which we did mourn,
Will soon give bounty from the ground.
Filled to the full with Jerusalem’s flock,
The temple energizes with exaltation.
Satisfied with honey out of the rock,
Judea enjoys the finest wheat to satisfaction.
Paul’s stay at Ephesus had been at length,
So a trip to Jerusalem he did make up.
He had to “Sing aloud unto God our strength,
Make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.”*
So Paul set sail back across the sea,
For, at the City of David, his heart must be.
* ref: Ps. 81:1
I want to travel to far away lands.
To see the 7 wonders that people speak of.
The Great Pyramid at Giza in Egypt would be a treat.
to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon in Iraq.
The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus in Turkey was once a market place.
The Statue of Zues in Greece, I have been told is a sight to view.
There is the Tomb of Maussollos at Halicarnassus in Turkey,
people come from all around to see the kings new home,
to Colossus at Rhodes where a statue once sat, but was destroyed by an earth quake.
The Lighthouse of Alexandria in Egypt stood 450 feet tall, and is where a night fire burned.
These great places hold so much history, that one day I will see.
Pd's contest old or new featured poem
Istanbul bridge,please take me home.
Take me back to the Anatolian empire,where you used your strength to pull Asia and
Europe together.
Then carried the weight of history and urbanization on your back, you took them to civilization.
Please take me to a land of peace,tourism and productivity,
a land of beauty,liberty and hospitality.
Istanbul bridge,please take me home.
Take me back to the beginning of Noah's new world,built on hope,justice and promises.
A beginning that united Man,animals and nature.
A land that oceans boast of,
mountains stand for,
clouds bleed for,
and the sun survives for.
Take me up the hills of Ephesus where Mary slept in peace,
down to the Mediterranean sea that witnessed the war caused by beauty between the Spartans and Trojans.
Take me from the east to the west and from the west to the east,to make new friends overseas.
From the north to the south and the south to the north,to unite nations across boarders. .
istanbul bridge,please take me home
A white city here lies –
a trace of centuries gone.
An old man Heraclitus
awoke freely at dawn.
At the bank of the sea
was a heavenly drop.
In the valley at hills
became ripened its crop.
Great sons of Artemis –
so her wrath to go down –
offered gifts to their miss –
a bleeding girl.
King of all – Alexander
built around a great wall.
Trajan fountain over there
made water fall.
To the Brothel itself,
from the Heracles Gate,
marched a Hellene himself
not afraid of gods` hate.
From far regions away,
from other lots,
brought St. John a God’s word
in the temple of gods.
Marble white shining on,
carcass, pieces and bits.
There is quite Odeon –
its descendants fame is.
A stable plate on two different trays
historically embracing the celebrated words of Caesar.
Home to the Hittites of old, St. Nicholas and the Antioch’s monument,
and a fine developing continuation of the ancient city of Troy.
From being a port to the legendary Ark
to introducing cherry and coffee to an entire continent.
Its mega hub, now stands a cultural goal post
to the entire pitch of its very affluent larger region.
Yet, its focal point uncommonly stands at Ankara
and the survival of Tin still stay true in Goltepe.
In time’s rare, twas the battle ground for the Trojan wars,
also the Museums of wonders of Halicarnasus and Ephesus,
but now an active site of manufacturing and Industrial boom.
While two land masses caress its identity,
the surrounding waters play and dance to its productivity.
Used to be the Mafia.
Glory to shameful violence.
Off balanced dodgers,
No reconciliation, by Story.
Oh, thank Jesus.
Oh, Thyatira
As time now diminishes?
Now urban dump sites,
Steps into focus.
I can't bare to mention.
Oh, Laodicea.
The place or time, it scavenges.
An untouchable and lofty perch.
Oh, Jesus, Who were the pharisees,
At your contention?
Why are rotten cotton balls,
Running up and down my spine?
A simple act of cunning?
A spine of stained glass?
Oh, Satan
Lean on our purity.
Lean on our purity.
What we have.
Oh, Ephesus.
Oh, Whoever.
Is it too much to ask?
For equal time about covetousness?
As if it never was.
In telling others how to run their lives?
Thank Satan.
My answer.
Why bother?
I know your incapable .
Oh, Sardis.
I'm far from right.
I know it.
Astounding homework abounding.
My dearly beloved canary.
Words so softly spoken.
Echoes a fading token.
For we challenged Davids scrolls.
oh, Pergamum.
But why? Heaven knows.
Dishing out the dread.
Confirmed by those found dead.
What glory in it?
Never confirmed in advance.
Oh, Smyrna.
Always after the deed.
Oh, New Millennium.
Oh, how my canary blossoms.
Discrepancies forgotten?
A beautiful and melodious chirp.
When the astrologers walk into Church.
But Why?
Advance your pulley.
Garnish your ear plugs.
Grease your train, in your yard.
Turn it all around.
Always your.
{Don,t get it yet!}
Nonsense!
Covetousness!
Nonsense!
Righteousness!
God has his secrets.
Fueled by our ignorance.
Seven to twelve.
God loves lofty odds.
Hows that! Summation.
Oh, Philadelphia
Love Jesus, The Church.
Revelation.
Beginning or end? Oh all.
Let us pray,
This is the Lord’s Prayer.
Out Father, who arts in heaven
Hallowed be thy name
Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done on earth
As it is in heaven,
Give us this day, our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us
And lead us not into temptation,
But, deliver us from evil.
In Jesus Name. Amen.
Let us pray,
These are powerful words as enemy’s slayer.
It’s not like the heat of an oven
Which are meant to put him to shame
That’s how to be safe at home
In order to regain your God-given strength
For, we’re better like the bread made of leaven
Even as you listen to these words, I read
In fact, he’s disintegrated and defeated in different classes
Long ago, even before the church of Ephesus
That’s why we’re not consumed and condemned in his fascination,
Now, we’re His and not for the devil.
In Jesus Name. Amen.
Miss Andry, you are truly a mystery.
You have Revealed yourself as Artemis and Lady of Ephesus to Many.
Miss Andry, you're mother nature that Roars like a lion and your voice thunders time after time.
Miss Andry, you're the root of most religions and goddess to many nations.
Miss Andry, you're the role model and idol to women all over the world, and even worshiped as queen of the Amazon women long ago.
Miss Andry, you're Strength was revealed when you transformed into your twin brother Apollo.
While Transformed into Libera, the goddess of Freedom, you have forgotten your attributes of Justice and Mercy.
Miss Andry, your Heart is cold and hard as the statue of liberty, not even a pickaxe can penetrate your disharmony.
Miss Andry, why do you treat me like you do?
Why do you blame me all the time?
Haven't I tried to love you through and through the passing of time?
Miss Andry, MIss Andry, How can I get through to you?
"If in the manner of men I have fought with beast at Ephesus
what is it unto myself? If the dead do not rise, let us eat
drink and be merry for, tomorrow we shall die...." ~ I Corinthians ~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Throughout the vast regions
Outside of Dreamendon ~
Atop the parched soils of its land
Saturant forces at hand....
The fallen prince Abaddon, their leader
From a far and distant sphere
Gathering soldiers or fortune, We ride ~
Veridicals of truth, Our guide....
Veriorums of ancient scrolls
Written millenniums ago
Containing the alpha of All wisdom
Upon the cyperus papyus perhaps
In search of these destroyers
The enemy, of all humankind!
Our purpose, Our quest
To deliver priceless Souls, back
From within their evil hands
Soldiers of fortune....
Vagabonds We are not
We know, "Our King" ~
"The Messiah, 'Jesus Christ!'"
And so We ride....
Amid the shadows, of the valleys
Beyond the darkest, of the night?
In pursuit of this empire
To consume it, with forevers "Light" ~
Not for one, not for some
But for All, for All, All, of "Life"
"......'Omnium Gatherum'......."
The holy light of, the omniscience of "Truth!"
Toward the panacea of pandaemonica
Beyond the Pandorae Fretum's
Celestial asylum....
Vicissitudes vicious vault
Of poisonous encroaching realities
The realities, of its pervading
Twistings of thought...."daimonikos"
Apollyons apathecaries
Reapers, far, far beyond....
Unto the palladuim passages ~
Angelically guarded corridores, leading
To the sacrosantic sapphoric spires
Of sapiencies mightily strong towers
"Towers"...."Rising"...."Majestical!"
Amid the paradisiacal paragons of wonder
Dreamendons Splendours ~
Surrounding their bejeweled fortress walls
"The Endless City"....
Gates made of single pristine pearls
Streets like glass, paved in pure
Transparent gold...."Zion" ~
The Kingdom, of "The Great 'I Am'"
"Forever"...."Upon, 'His Throne!'"
The beginning of omegas mercies and
"Eternals, 'Beautiful Love'" ~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"......'Omnium Gatherum!'......."
For Kenneth Koch
We met each other in Smyrna
Birthplace of Seferis
Walked all the day together around Ephesus
Admiring the antiquities
And chatting about the troubles of a new era
We came from different worlds
I with a youth full of privations
You with the clamor of Beatnik days
What makes a poet a poet?
You said with your ironic smile
The pain or joy of living?
Now that you are no more
It's boring sometimes
To live after you
Life! That little trick of substance
Curiously expressed with such a short word
In all mankind's languages
2008
"If in the manner of men, I have fought with beast at Ephesus,
What advantage is it unto me? If the dead do not rise, let us eat
Drink and be merry, for tomorrow we shall die...." ~I Corinthians~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Throughout the vast regions
Outside of Dreamendon
Atop the parched soils of its land
Saturant forces at hand....
The fallen prince abaddon, their leader
From a far and distant sphere
Gathering soldiers of fortune, we ride
Veridicals of truth, our guide....
Veriorums of ancient scrolls
Written millineums ago
Containing the alpha of all wisdom
Upon the cyperus papyus perhaps
In search of this destroyer
The enemy, of all mankind!
Our purpose, our quest
To deliver their souls, back
From within their evil hands
Soldiers of fortune....
Vagabonds we are not
For we know our home, and
We know "Our King"
"The Messiah, 'Jesus Christ!'"
And so we ride....
Amid the shadows, of the valleys
And beyond the darkest, of the night
In pursuit of this empire
To consume it, with forevers "Light"
Not for one, not for some
But for all, for all, all, of "Life"
"....Omnium Gatherum...."
The light, of the omniscience of "Truth!"
Toward the panacea of pandaemonica
Beyond the Pandorae Fretum's
Celestial asylum....
Vicissitudes vicious vault
Of poisonous encroaching realities
The realities, of its pervading
Twistings of thought...."daimonikos"
Apollyons apathecaries
Reapers, far, far beyond....
Unto the palladium passages
Angelically guarded corridores, leading
To the sacrosanctic sapphoric spires
Of sapiencies mightily strong towers
"Towers"...."Rising"...."Majestical"
Amid the paradisiacal paragons of wonder
Dreamendons Beauties~
Surrounding their bejeweled fortress walls
"The Endless City"....
Gates made of single pristine pearls
Streets like glass, paved, in pure
Transparent gold...."Zion"
The Kingdom of The Great "I Am"
"Forever"...."Upon 'His' Throne!"
The beginning of wisdoms, mercies
...............{ Love }................
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
".......Omnium Gatherum......."
i
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith ... Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
ii
Paul prayed in Ephesus for the Ephesians who were in an infant CHRISTian church. My 1973/1984 ZONDERVAN (US edition) of the NIV (New International Version of the Bible) only capitalizes Spirit, not "he" for God. In a way this is consonant with the Gospels (John chapter 14, is the best corollary): that Jesus said it is best He leave earth, and intercede for humanity at the Father's Right Hand, while the Holy Spirit will continue the teaching He (Jesus) had begin. It is true we live in the ongoing Pentecost (Acts, chapters 1-2) which is the Age of the Holy Spirit since Jesus ascended after some 40 days after crucifixion and Resurrection (Easter). 49 days after "Easter" we celebrate the birth of the church in the holiday you may know as PENTECOST SUNDAY.
III
I will continue this poem-prayer in the next Post, today, "INNER BEING strength 2." Thank you for your encouraging visits and/or comments. Shalom, shalom {[Peace]}
Several years ago I asked you to do something for Me - And if you did just what I asked My
glory you would see - At first you were excited - Your hearts were filled with love - My heart
was full of joy as I watched you from above - Every service was so great - I felt right at
home - But slowly things began to change and you began to roam - It really made me sad to
see a church with one desire - Let Satan in and try his best to put out your holy fire - Then
came the discontentment and My heart began to grieve - I really didn't want to go but I just
had to leave - Now every week you ask Me to come and visit you - You ask Me for My
guidance in everything you do - But like the church at Ephesus - You've forgotten your first
Love - But I am interceding for you to My Father up above - Please stop all your fighting - It
really makes me sad - You're supposed to love each other - Not make each other mad -
Remember that this is My church - Please repent of your sins - I want to come back home
again - Will you please let me in.