Best Shadrach Poems
OF AN EBONY HUED MID-SUMMER NIGHT DREAM
(Apropos of We Kings, Queens, and The Fiery Furnace)
Indeed, this is a day the Lord has made:-
Considering last night’s revelation dreaming,
Waking up into this day the Lord has made,
I must enjoy and be glad for being still vertical.
Although “The Great Dream” may have been deferred,
Indeed, it has not been forgotten and deterred.
Oh, they may have murdered its dreamer, but
His and our liberation dream is immortal:-
Looking out over the horizon of our challenged life,
It is realized that we Exodus people have come a long way;
Survivors of the blood-stained shadows of horrific death:-
And we have come this far on the sojourn by faith.
Yes, we have come this far by an inherent faith—continuing
To maintain and sustain us in the present perils of our lives:-
And as African-Americans, surviving in this deemed “promise land”,
We’ve had and continue to have a special kind of relationship with God.
During our living experiences here during and after debilitating slavery,
We’ve seen, heard, felt, and responded to the Word of God in ways that
Are unique to us as an African people of God; for indeed, as chosen ones,
We’ve always been able to sing and praise God in truth and in holy spirits.
Reflecting on the truth of ourstory, it is realized that we are of a people
Whom many would have expected to have stopped singing and praying
A long time ago; yet, from generation to generation, we’ve just kept on
Singing and praising and trusting in the love of God and His redemption.
Indeed, sacred revelations continue to bring us from extermination
To exaltation, from degradation of dignity, from nobody to somebody;
With wide wondering eyes on the prize, we continue to sojourn onward
For our eyes have seen His glory as we have continued marching in His truth.
Indeed, we not only believe but know that in the savior’s favor
Life is and while our perils may endure here a little while longer,
We know that a liberating joyful stay here on earth is on the horizon
Promised by that very present help to those who live in good trouble;
Thus, let us not be exhausted nor deterred by the ghost tyranny
But with undying faith and spiritual strength, let us victoriously
Demonstrate that we are not of the children of Sisyphus’ fate;
But living reflections of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego:-
and the Lord delivered the King of Judah
into the hands of King Nebuchadnezzar.
the choice gems of the Judean royal family —
chosen to serve in the Babylonian palace.
veggies, please…no meat, no wine
from the King’s table...no defilement.
God caused the chief official to show
favor and sympathy to Daniel.
in ten days bright and cheery faces
continued their act that pleased the Lord.
to Daniel and his friends, God gave
knowledge and understanding;
to Daniel - visions and dreams of all kinds.
none was found to be better than Daniel,
Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah renamed
Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
and this begins their veggie tales…
some thought lions might eat vegetarians...
some thought veggies could be flame-broiled…
hear the cacophony of the dithering instruments:
horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all
the nations crack, crumble, fall
to worship the image of gold
but…
Daniel and his friends
wait for a better day
a trumpet sound
where every knee will bow
to the King of Kings.
10/29/2019
Ultrasound pictures
Shadrach Russell Bryan Young
Tiny Miracle
Joseph’s brothers hated him
But God delivered him from the pit
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
Thrown into a fiery furnace lit
Intended to kill them in an instant
But God delivered them from the flames
Unscorched by the fire
Obedience to God, even fire tames
Daniel was thrown to the hungry lions
Because He prayed daily to his Father
But God’s angels closed the lions’ mouths
To consume his enemies they’d rather
David could have killed Saul
Who was seeking his life to kill
But God’s Spirit told him not to
David displayed to God goodwill
Jacob stole Esau’s inherent blessing
But God, the twin brothers reconciled
Nothing but a miracle
Jacob’s repentance undefiled
Job lost everything
Except his wife of many years
But God gave him more children
Doubled his worldly wealth and wares
God can do anything
For everything to man he gives
Because God is a “but” God
He also freely forgives.
Copyright © Maureen LeFanue 2007-2012
In the book of Daniel there is a story told
The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego
King Nebuchadnezzar made a decree
At the sound of the music, fall down and worship the gold idol or you will see
A fiery furnace will be your fate
Get on your knees before it's too late
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego refused to worship the gold idol, no way
Our God, whom we serve can deliver us from the fiery furnace, we will not obey
Into the fiery furnace they were thrown
However, King Nebuchadnezzar saw they were not alone
The king said there is a fourth man like the Son of God
They are NOT hurt in the midst of the fire where they trod
The King said Shadrach, Meshach, Abed-Nego come here
Their bodies the fire did not seer
As they came from the furnace door
Their garments were as before
King Nebuchadnezzar said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego
Who sent and angel to protect them because they trusted God I know
Any people or nation who about their God say anything amiss
Will be cut to pieces because No other God could have saved them like this
The earth of five million was of one speech,
Build it up, higher and higher, undie,
Towers of dub man,
circumvent his plan,
Suddenly behold the man, throw it down,
Speak of Babel, people uncomfortable,
Confound and confuse, scatter, no matter,
Shem, Arphaxad, Salah and Eber, a river,
Suddenly Nebuchadnezzar, tongue teach,
The king of dreams, wise men taught to lie each,
'I know of certainty that ye would gain this time,
And you and me did drink Babylon's fine wine,
Shadrach,
Meshach and Abednego burn,
It's not your turn,
It's not your turn, unlearn,
Eat grass, lift thine eyes, dominion, you earned,
People's nations, languages and value gauges,
O Belshazzar, Mine, Tekel and Peres, hand write,
Written to see sooth to say, another day,
Oh Babylonites, there is no hope for you,
That they in their wisdom, worship devils,
Babylon the great,Mother of harlots nine,
You think divine, you think divine, you lying,
The smoke of her burning, truth unlearning,
The great Babylon come,
The whore sittetch down.
I am Alpha and Omega, beginning and end,
Babylon was cast down,
Every face a frown,
A New heaven and new earth, no hunger and thirst,
He reigns now for ever,
Babylon has gone.
And with it the words of the Wizard London.
They were just three young Jewish boys who knew their God
In so knowing all of His Joys the king thought them to be odd
He said "you bow to me" or I will throw all of you into the fire
Your God, we shall see if He will save you when things get dire
All answering the same way as one by one they did respond
To only God will I pray despite that crown you have donned
As the great fire raged about that many guards were killed
The three still having no doubt for it was in what He willed
Into the fire the three went and that should be the end there
Yet as over the king bent, they were dancing without a care
But now there was four as he could not believe his own eyes
For now the king wasn't so sure so caught up in his own lies
The king called them back as the fire burned only the ropes
A God not lacking and that is where they placed their hopes
So when that fire does appear you will know all of His Joys
Jesus said to not have fear, but dance, just like those boys
king Nebuchadnezzar
Boys Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
Daniel 3:9-28
Oh! The poetry of "The power and Glory"!
I recall chant and call of that Gospel Story,
In storefront churches, all across the land.
Where heat was stirred, but not dispelled
by the waving of little cardboard fans.
As towering be-robed preachers shouted
exposition in magnificent thunderous oratory!
Sweat-slick glistening black faces; stalking,prowling
the precincts of the pulpit, moaning and growling;
"I don't think you heard me! Can I get a amen?"
Teaching grace and mercy, greater than all sin.
Stories of how our dear Lord, set the captives free-
Daniel in the den, Jonah in the fish, Shadrach-
Meshach, Abednego;" Lord, why not deliver po' me?"!
How deaf did speak; sight restored to the blind
And ,the sisters shout, and the deacons holler
And a few get happy and almost lose their mind.
And, those words washed, like waves, over us
Accounts of firey chariot and wheels in wheels,
presented in rhythm and rhyme, simile and alliteration.
Oh the mighty poetry, that called the lost to salvation!
Those sunday morning poet-prophets who orated
recounting judgement seats and high lifted-up thrones
They left me with a lingering, linguistic legacy
that just like Jeremiah's God-sent prophecy
Creates a need for expressing, "like fire shut up in my bones."
If I should try to refrain from speaking, the very rocks would sing.
The words are in me, moving and, I just can't hold my peace!
King Nebuchadnezzar ordered people to worship a statue that was ninety feet high.
But when three good men refused to worship it, the king condemned them to die.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to worship an idol even though the punishment was stern.
The king had them thrown into a furnace but Jehovah God sent an angel and they didn't burn.
Those three men said that they would only worship The Lord.
And being protected from a fiery death was their reward.
Nebuchadnezzar was amazed when they weren't consumed by the fire.
Those three good men survived a fate that would have usually been dire.
Jehovah proved himself to be the true God who has might.
He protected his three loyal servants for doing what was right.
“S” is for sweet, a sweet little boy is he.
“H” is for handsome, or at least he is to me.
“A” is for always, for he’s always on my mind.
“D” is for dear to me, no other love I’ll find.
“R” is for rotten, though just a little bit.
“A” is for all boy, that, I must admit.
“C” is for cuddly, when it’s time to go down to sleep.
“H” is for happy, that is, how happy he makes me.
Even though sleepless nights,
Began his life on earth,
Who could ever comprehend,
How much this baby’s worth?
And tears once wept for this little one,
Have given way to sunny smiles.
God has brought him through the fire and again,
And will bring him through many more trials.
Daniel 3:26-28
Were you there when God made the Earth and Adam from a pile of clay?
And separated the water and created night and day?
Were you there when Moses led his people to be free?
And lived through Passover then parted the sea?
God was
Were you there when Abraham obeyed God at the altar?
Were you in the lion’s den when Daniel did not falter?
Did you see David kill the giant twice his size?
Did you help Solomon build the temple and become so wise?
God did
Were you there when Noah drifted so many days and nights?
Or when Sampson brought down the house after losing his sight?
Who has the power to deliver Jonah from the great fish?
And grant a child's bedtime wish.
God does
Were you there when Jacob wrestled with the man?
Did you help Joshua conquer all the land?
Were you there when Eve fell to satan's lies,
And when Ruth and Naomi were pleasing to God's eyes?
God did
Were you in the fiery furnace with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego?
Or in Egypt when Joseph ruled so long, long ago?
Did you hear God speak through Isaiah, Elijah, Jerimiah and Paul?
Did you see the work of the twelve, and the conversion of Saul?
God did
Did you weep for the martyrs who spread the good news?
Did you cry when the Nazis murdered the Jews?
Did you give God's grace with Mary's conception?
Did you give Joseph strength for his families protection?
God did
Were you there when he bore the great burden?
Did you hear his cries in Gethsemane garden?
Did you see them beat him and knock him to the ground?
Were you there when he struggled to Golgotha mound?
God was
Who is the Messiah as the prophets said he would be?
Who suffered when they pierced him and nailed him to the tree?
Who died on the cross to cleanse all sin?
Who rose after three days and will come again?
God did
DREAM ON DANIEL
A chronicle of a righteous man of old
Who brought King Darius into the fold;
Understanding writing on the wall
Prophetic interpretation his spiritual call;
Daniel ,a man faithfilled in prayer,caused
Darius to cast him into the lion's lair;
A guardian angel to Daniel was sent,
So trust in God received royal assent;
Dream,words and visions filled Daniel's life
He proclaimed God's truths ,without fear or stife;
A regent of Babylon for its kings
Of Shadrach,Mesha,ch & Abednego, we now sing.
re-post inspired by Debbie's contest
The king of Babylon was named Nebuchadnezzar.
He ruled his great kingdom that was both wide and far.
Heralds went about and issued the king’s decree
that all the subjects pay homage to a new deity.
When the music sounds, everyone bow down to this idol of gold.
Nobody shall disobey the order. You are so told.
Worship this god of which there is nothing higher.
If not, you will be cast into the furnace and consumed by its fire.
To King Nebuchadnezzar came some unwelcome news:
Some Chaldeans informed the ruler of three defiant Jews.
These three representatives were ones the king would know.
Their names were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego.
Nebuchadnezzar asked the three if the accusation was true.
Their reply was, “Our God is most powerful, and will deliver us from you.”
This reply instantly filled the monarch with rage.
The three men were to be burned alive at center stage.
The furnace would be seven times hotter than at usual times.
The king wanted the trio to pay dearly for their crimes.
The king saw four men in the flames who did not perish.
This was an unbelievable sight that certainly did astonish.
An angel of the Lord went through the fire to save the three.
None of them had any burns that anyone could see.
Nebuchadnezzar realized that the Lord’s power was true.
To the God of the Jews, total recognition was due.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were freed by the king.
They were given promotions after this incredible thing.
Daniel, chapter 3
Three is that magical number so fascinating,
Oft-repeated in history.
In the Bible, it is the Holy Trinity
But there’s plenty more equally captivating.
On Golgotha’s hill were erected three stakes
Three gospels are called Synoptics
Triangles make most pleasing optics
And three times a lady the pop lyric states.
When you were a kid you got three chances
The third time’s the charm ... got you a-switchin’,
Three blind mice in the farmer’s wife’s kitchen
Got their tails cut off with sharpened lances.
Shakespeare’s three witches brewed up a pot,
But when Nebuchadnezzar looked into the fire
To check on the results of his uncontrollable ire
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were not.
There were three bears, three little pigs,
And three Billy goats gruff,
And, as though that were not enough,
The old drunk took three swigs.
I could go on and on, making the point
That three is the number to be
In literature, fables, and history
But, continuing might soon disappoint.
Written on February 10, 2021
For the 3 Contest
Sponsored by Anthony Biaanco
(APROPOS OF 11/21/2018)
i
The fires came and the winds blew;
Nothing remained the same—
If only they knew…praying for the rain;
The floods came the next day
And the flowing mud had its way:
Houses that had remained
Went down the mountain drain;
But they vowed they would build again
Knowing that they were not the blame
And that the old Devil would be put to shame;
For they remained filled with sparkling hope
And fueled by igniting faith in ways to cope;
ii
How could they have ever known
That the fire next time
Would be so dreadfully blown
Consuming all they held so sublime?
Yet, despite the devastating cost
Etched memories would not be lost;
The heavenly Eagle had stirred the nest
And their souls’ spirits had survived the test.
iii
Without caring to warn, fiercely famished
Flames came knocking at fuel’s gate—
Like flesh-eating bacteria
Scorching the ripe Cali landscape;
Most were devoured within the path of the flames,
Leaving ashy structural architectural shards
And remnants of charred human remains
Laying naked among charcoal baked clods;
If only they had known—even imagined—at least…
Nature’s unleashing of such a power—a roaring beast,
With strange winds carrying sparking needles of pain’s grief;
iv
Destruction and death raised ice bed thoughts of long ago—
Of the charred cities of Sodom and Gomorrah—
But healing memories fired flaming faith with spirit filled Gloria:
Remembering Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah—
Also known as Meshack, Shadrach, and Abednego;
In the end, deliverance came sweeping along the charcoaled way,
And the sunrise of time granted them a new blessed day
As the mournful death charred journey remained to be tread;
The Most High, Jehovah, heard their prayers and nodded His head.
v
Everything under the sun and moon come in due season;
Whatever nature brings, the Creator will reveal His reason.
Know then that for what has come, you are not to be blamed;
For in due season, the old Devil will surely fall and be shamed.