FAITH, HOPE AND CHARITY
Who cometh these shores
On dusk's dark tide
Tis Hope I know
With Faith she rides
Along Charity's blame
The unfortunate poor
A coin with her name
And a promise of more
On whip bitten flesh
Bridal and bit
Their equine mounts
Silent and swift
Muzzles sheen wet
Steam pistons pour
Muscles bleed sweat
These engines of war
My candles are lit
Prayers offered
Take flight
My back to the door
My door to the night
The doubt
Which I spilled
Now it has dried
Words how I wish
I never did write
Sympathy scorned
Love's ember bright
My ink
So I poured
On God's given rite
A blasphemous sin
Committed at whim
I painted their names
Their nearest of kin
Innocent all
All had their price
A bounty of gold
And silver paid twice
Three sisters; Faith, Hope, Charity and me
were swimming naked in the moonlight
all together in a sea of tranquility
when gravity threw Hope across the water
it really shouldn't oughta
as that left Faith, Charity and I
but Faith departed can't think why
perhaps because three's a crowd
yet Charity remained unbowed
so to her I gave a tender kiss
not thinking it would be amiss
the slap she handed me it burned
seems it was all much too soon
and on that night the lesson learned
I may as well kiss the moon
There once was a girl name of Faith,
Who was filled with beauty and grace.
She was lovely to see,
Each move poetry,
But she never gave in to the chase.
Now Faith had sister named Hope,
Who tried hard with her sister to cope.
She vied with her sister,
To attract the same mister,
But he didn't like women who moped.
Next there was dear little Charity.
Though sweet she was void of clarity.
Filled with innocent charm,
She entranced and disarmed,
All who met her found her a rarity.
Now there was an old man of great wealth,
Who it seemed was in declining health.
He did woo each sister,
Seemed this shameful mister,
Was a master of romance and stealth.
Each thought he was hers sincerely,
But the way he behaved was a parody.
He romanced Faith and Hope,
Each one hoped to elope,
But he died and left all to Charity.
Faith can be many things to many people.
It is not claimed only by those who are Chrisitans.
Since ancient times, many have acted on faith
even performing strange rituals such as
dancing for days, jumping off cliffs, or offering up sacrifices
with the belief that their actions will benefit them in some way.
Hope is natural to many as well, whether it be hope in Christ
or hope in one’s dreams coming true.
Without it, many would despair; hope keeps us going.
Charity, however, is another thing entirely.
People profess love for their mates, family, and fellow man,
yet look at the statistics. Divorce, terrorism, bullying, greed.
All of this is opposite of the pure love of God.
Having real love, we put others above ourselves.
Charity has no room for things like egoism, jealousy or pride.
The act of charity is the kind of love which
– if it could be achieved as the norm by even half the world -
would make our life on earth as blissful as heaven.
Sadly, very few people have achieved this attribute.
Oct. 21, 2019
for Regina Riddle's 1St Corinthians 13:13 Inspiration Poetry Contest
Faith and hope through angels and men,
no charity, no meaning.
I'll learn many things concur all.
Without charity I will fall.
With love, lifes's well spent.
I now abide the commandments.
Give to the poor, a body to burn,
without charity, nothings learned.
Offers all, does'nt dwell on itself,
gives love, not of thineself.
Always upholds and sees all,
never disappears, always stands tall.
Grow wise, learn many things,
the most important is what God brings.
This love I speak of you'll see,
is that which God calls Charity.
In watching the teli reporting the evening news
I got an ache in my belly and a sudden case of the blues
So much insufferable pain that my heart couldn't stand to bear it
Too much emotion to feign as the sadness just continues to emit
War seems to be everywhere and the same with starvation
There, there and there, pretty much in every single nation
Yet we complain about our day and the horrible traffic
Take that time to pray because I haven't even mentioned the sick
And each day this horror show airs and every day is a new episode
Seems as though no one really cares as our own sensitivities tend to erode
Just a simple drink of clean water or even a slice or two of bread
This whole world seems out of order as we continue making the bed
Just being able to reach out and hand them that drink of water
Say, "I'm with you in your bout" and it only cost less than a quarter
Yes we are so quick to complain and so many do have reason
But think how the World would gain during this the giving season
Faith is salvation
a promised eternal life
heaven the reward
Hope is heaven's gift
the soul receives salvation
remorse is the key
Charity given
others may benefit now
life is your reward
Faith is salvation
Hope is redemption granted
Charity is life
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