Who is my neighbour? Asked you, a supposed expert in law
Did he know that testing you is like a Babelian flaw?
Being Christ, you knew well that his faith was like a dry reed.
With a breeze of common man's compassion, you shook his creed.
From Jerusalem to Jericho, a man travelled, you said.
Bandits beat him up, looted his wealth, and left him half-dead
Did the priest, though he witnessed him dying, reach him out? Nay.
The Levite too, though he might have felt pity, went his way.
One who was thought to be, in the social ladder, the least
A Samaritan brought back his life that was almost ceased.
He nursed him as though he was losing his only friend.
Shouldn't, before his love, divisions of caste and creed bend?
This was true love. He's the true neighbour. Go and do the same.
The questioner felt his frail question fail and stood in shame.
Categories:
levite, jesus,
Form: Sonnet
Rights’ rollercoaster seats these three:
1 ~ What's yours is mine. If necessary
I'll take it by force and quickly flee.
Such a ruinous view lacks maturity.
2 ~ What's mine is yours, so you may see
when need unfolds or there’s calamity,
no holding back, you can count on me.
3 ~ What's mine is mine, my philosophy.
I keep my safe locked and hide the key.
Wealth yields a status hierarchy.
A biblical parable illustrates all three.
What’s mine is yours that you may see
some men sow, so OTHERS can reap.
When thieves took yours, they wounded thee.
What’s mine is yours that you may see -
the priest and Levite were not free.
Assets were theirs and theirs to keep.
What’s mine is yours that you may see
some men sow, so OTHERS can reap.
Categories:
levite, 11th grade, rights,
Form: Verse
A man to Jericho making his way
was attacked by robbers as if him to slay;
then stealing his gold
and leaving him cold –
half-dead by the road, a scene of dismay.
A Priest was passing. Would he intervene?
Likewise a Levite surveying the scene.
While heaving a sigh
both then passed on by –
to bind up his wounds would make them unclean.
A Samaritan who was struggling along,
showed pity for the man who'd suffered such wrong.
So doing his best
the wounds he did dress,
then took him to an inn, his beast thereon.
“Now which of these proved to be a neighbour
to the one who suffered such a disfavour?”
“He who showed mercy
but none of the clergy.”
“So where there's such need, could you be a saviour?”
Luke 10.25-37
Categories:
levite, bible, christian, gospel,
Form: Limerick
With thy staff and robes came a princely Jew,
a prophet, a Levite son in exile;
for out of the blood and sweat of sinew
did that journey begin on the blue Nile.
Who brought to bear God’s will this land upon
for cursed he Egypt in the desert sand,
and forty years wandered in freedom won
into the covenant land of Canaan.
Born of the Israelites that Hebrew slave
led the twelve tribes in great exodus home,
and from Horeb brought down in God’s engrave
Ten Commandments upon tablets of stone.
Out of the valleys to Pisgah he trod -
great lawgiver and judge and voice of God.
Written: March 1995
Categories:
levite, bible, jewish, journey,
Form: Sonnet
Stumbling through school
a ‘kick me’ sign on her back
toilet paper stuck to her shoe
with superglue
Told to be silent unless spoken to
and never fight back against the
bullies putting bubblegum in her hair
Threatening to beat her
in the bathroom
Sitting in the broken chair
falling to the floor
ending up on her ass
No one lends a hand as they pass
leaving her like the Levite
giggling like goons
at the free lunch girl
in the thrift store dress
the holes in the soles of her sandals
patched with duct tape
Spending her days lost in the library
reading Shakespeare’s plays
instead of milling around the mall
Strolling in the cemetery
singing old songs
She feels safe there
for the dead don’t laugh
and call her nasty names
Lofty dreams in her head
that will never come true
I see it all in those eyes of blue
though the photographer
had told me to smile
Categories:
levite, bullying, childhood, growing up,
Form: Free verse
An expert in the law met Jesus, though
his question, "Who's my neighbor?" was to try
to test, and maybe trick him. Christ's reply -
to tell a parable to help him grow.
"A man walked down the road to Jericho.
Thieves beat and stripped him, leaving him to die.
The man looked up with hope - a priest comes nigh,
but passing him, no mercy does he show.
A Levite, too. Then, a Samaritan
whose clan were enemies unto his race.
It was this one who saved the dying man -
the man least likely to reach out his hand.
HE was the neighbor, filled with love and grace.
Go forth and be that neighbor in the land."
Written 25 Oct 2020
Categories:
levite, jesus,
Form: Italian Sonnet
ODE TO THE APOSTLE
Beloved friend,
Swift as the East wind,
fair and white stallion,
born to heal battalion -
Meekly and instinctively
never a victim of melancholy,
wild and gentle deer,
Levite empowered from wilderness
and out of strength
leaps out of weakness.
Your David reached out
and you put out every slumber.
Beloved, my friend and apostle,
Swift as the East wind
Fair and white stallion
Born to heal battalion -
Together we crossed the mountains,
We slaughter the bull of heaven
And unravel mysteries
from the ancient,
the Spirits in the letters. Oh apostle...
What now is this lil' sleep
that has seized me
and darkened my face
to sway from light
as I shed ink in this awakening
revival of saints?
Now is the time
only an iron will sharpen iron.
VickWizzy
Vick Manuel Poetry {VMP}
Copyright ©2017.
Categories:
levite, 1st grade, best friend,
Form: Ode
re-post inspired by Brenda's contest
THE MAN'S MAN
Joseph,a levite hailing from Cyprus
Not one to distinguish between them & us
Baranabas was a his given,nick-name
Amongst the apostles he gained honour & fame
Speaking up for Paul in the council's sight
Standing for justice,truth and light
A man of encouragement and faith
Full of the Holy Spirit and God's grace
Respected and trusted by all
This unnoticed companion of the apostle Paul
To Zeus,Barnabas was to be compared
His witness to Jesus, he so often declared
Diligent,hard-working ,always supporting himself
Putting kingdom living before money & wealth
Full details @ Acts 4:36/7 :9:26/7:11:22/3:!!:29/30:!3:2:14:12 & 1Cor 9:6
Categories:
levite, christian, inspiration,
Form: Couplet
Will You Accept Me?
Will you accept me? Just as I am?
I have a lot of problems
you may not understand.
I’m not perfect... I have a long way to go.
I sin sometimes...and does it show!
I’m probably not what you’d
expect a Christian to be.
Will you still love and accept someone like me?
I need someone to show me Christ’
love in a gentle way,
Not just in Church on Sunday—but every day.
I want to be more like Jesus...
believe me I do.
Will you show me how—
and not just sit in a pew?
I’m carrying a lot of problems,
beneath a heavy load.
I feel like the man who was beaten
on the Jericho road.
The priest... Levite... good Samaritan...
which one will you be?
To stop and care for someone such as me.
People like me surround you every day,
Please don’t just think of yourself
in a selfish way.
Allow Christ's love to break your heart so tenderly,
So you’ll begin to love people as lonely as me!
By Jim Pemberton
Categories:
levite, dedication, depression, devotion, faith,
Form: Rhyme
Will you Be Like The Good Samaritan?
I have a lot of problems
you may not understand.
I’m not perfect... I have a long way to go.
I sin sometimes...and does it show!
I’m probably not what you’d
expect a Christian to be.
Will you still love and accept someone like me?
I need someone to show me Christ’
love in a gentle way,
Not just in Church on Sunday—but every day.
I want to be more like Jesus...
believe me I do.
Will you show me how—
and not just sit in a pew?
I’m carrying a lot of problems,
beneath a heavy load.
I feel like the man who was beaten
on the Jericho road.
The priest... Levite... good Samaritan...
which one will you be?
To stop and care for someone such as me.
People like me surround you every day,
Please don’t just think of yourself
in a selfish way.
Allow Christ's love to break your heart so tenderly,
So you’ll begin to love people as lonely as me!
By Jim Pemberton
2006
Categories:
levite, confusion, dedication, depression, devotion,
Form: Rhyme
The Good Samaritan
When walking from Jerusalem to Jericho..
I was stripped by robbers whom I did not know...
They beat me and left me there to lie...
Took my belongings; hoping then I would die..
I felt alone and very scared...
None passing by would help me or even cared...
A priest came by, traveling that same road..
He stopped and glanced but, continued with his load.
I called out for help in a desperate cry...
A Levite heard but, passed me on by..
The night wondered on and I was tired and cold..
I wanted desperately something warm to hold..
Then a Samaritan came by and gave me food, clothes and wine..
He was gentle and sincerely kind..
He showed me mercy and love in great size..
Jesus says please go and do likewise..
Categories:
levite, dedication, devotion, education, faith,
Form: Rhyme
Joseph,a levite hailing from Cyprus
Not one to distinguish between them & us
Baranabas was a his given,nick-name
Amongst the apostles he gained honour & fame
Speaking up for Paul in the council's sight
Standing for justice,truth and light
A man of encouragement and faith
Full of the Holy Spirit and God's grace
Respected and trusted by all
This unnoticed companion of the apostle Paul
To Zeus,Barnabas was to be compared
His witness to Jesus, he so often declared
Diligent,hard-working ,always supporting himself
Putting kingdom living before money & wealth
Full details @ Acts 4:36/7 :9:26/7:11:22/3:!!:29/30:!3:2:14:12 & 1Cor 9:6
Categories:
levite, faith, history, people,
Form: Couplet
Joseph,a levite from Cyrprus,fair
Displayed his gifts with loving care;
A son of encouragment,he was called
This bold Barnbas of old.
The first advocate for Tarsus,Saul
With words he smoothed the path for Paul;
Then to Antiocn,post haste was sent,
To nuture young Christians he was lent;
A teacher,prophet of the Lord
With the apostles he spread the word,
Enduring dangers he fulfilled his call,
A man of principle...example to all.
Categories:
levite, history, people,
Form: Ballad