But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children
come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God
belongs to such as these.”
—Luke 18:16 NIV
WHAT’S HAPPENED TO JORDAN
What’s happened to Jordan? He’s living proof
that a kid with sideways horns, pawing hoof,
saw the masses using imperfect tongues
with elbow grease, praising God with their lungs.
What’s happened to Jordan? He’s living proof
that letting the children come, is no goof…
that glancing behind, the aisles were well lit
with eyes and ears saint-bright; faithful, tight-knit.
What’s happened to Jordan? He’s living proof.
He pounds on the drums. He’s raising the roof.
He concurs with youth. Ears incline to him.
He married Wisdom. They’re verve is a hymn.
What’s happened to Jordan? He’s living proof -
though he stumbled, God made him shatterproof.
And as the saying goes, “God don’t make junk.”
No whiskey in hand - only Spirit-drunk.
What’s happened to Jordan? He’s living proof
that his progeny, raised right - not aloof.
He’s raising young men with Christian morals.
Hero, on white horse, unsung with laurels.
SONNET TO JORDAN
If you saw Jordan as he is today
You would not recognize the boy we knew.
Back then he was a pest in every way
(He even carved his name once on a pew)
If there was mischief, he was always there.
“He’ll not amount to much,” his teachers sighed.
But yesterday, she saw him in the square,
His wife and family by his side.
The dense crowd hanging on his every word,
Their parliamentary candidate.
But, in her head, the only voice she heard
Was an echo from an earlier date.
Young Jordan, who had set her heart aflame.
She still sits in that pew that bears his name
In the wee hours of a cool autumn night,
They were roused from sleep by a loud knock.
They feared it would be some bandits,
Trying to get into the house pulling open the lock.
To their great surprise they found their own Jordan,
Who had been mysteriously missing since years.
No news of him to the deep chagrin of his dear ones,
Leaving all in great suspense and his parents, in tears
As a child he had been a stinker, no church, and no God.
Used to absent from class for many days, a truant.
He longed for freedom and didn’t like being confined.
He was lured by adventure and was never prudent.
Seeing him, his parents were so excited, but he was full of remorse.
He asked forgiveness for he had sinned against all and gone astray.
He was in a UFO wishing to soar away into the clouds.
Now he is a changed man who has stepped out of his zombie way.
* * * *
On the pulse of a new life, he now has the grace to look up,
Into the faces of his brethren, read their mind and their problem,
With a resolve to do whatever he can to ameliorate their pain,
He renders selfless service, helping many lives blossom!
There was once a young soul I’ll call Jordan
He was a little on the wild side, a rebellious child
Most expected he’d someday know the warden
The one he’d answer to before being reconciled
Freedom, it seems, we often take it for granted
Like Jordan, I sometimes disregarded the rules
It took some time for me to grow where I was planted
I could be stubborn and obstinate, like the mules
But, like Jordan, who became a regular light in the end
I learned to live a life of kindness, caring about hearts
Thanks to the love that I carry with me, the forever friend
Who makes a way for Jordan and me, with grace off the charts…
Jordan became a preacher, the leader of many people
He carries hope inside his soul, a hope that grows and grows
Because of that long ago bible school beneath the church steeple,
He is a light to many who live in the dark – his love always shows…
Jesus is the One friend we can carry with us through every fear
Thanks to His love, there is grace beyond what we comprehend
It is grace that takes away our sin, wipes away every single tear
Reveals joy from believing in Him, the One who did ascend
Wisdom, like the endosperm of a coconut, evolved,
Jordan developed in his self-consciousness day by day;
Though vices around virtues, like the galaxy, revolved,
He, like the Magi, keenly discerned and chose the right way.
Boyishness, as the rind of an orange or plum got peeled,
Fruitfulness in him, like wheat grain formation, peeped its head;
How lovely our once naughty Jordan's true self got revealed!
All those unchurched unaware identities he had shed...!
His son grew up like a pearl in a progressing oyster,
Scholastically and leisurely he's trained without fail;
He gives him freedom too; he's not a monk in a cloister;
Though naughty like his father, he grows up hearty and hale...!
The storm that blows violently can change into a breeze,
Who says a beast running about can never be at ease...?
18 June 2023
Whatever happened to "Jordan" Poetry Contest
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