"The Good Samaritan" by Domenico Campagnola‘The Test’ and Other Poetry by Alan Steinle The Society June 17, 2023 Beauty, Culture, Poetry, Rondeau 5 Comments . The Test The second [commandment] is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ —Jesus (Matthew 22:39, NASB1995) Is every trial just a self-created test? Perhaps we do not grow until we have been stressed. How do we pass the test, so that we may be blessed? Perhaps we need to treat our neighbor like a guest. Perhaps we need to listen to his small request. Perhaps we need to share provisions from our nest. A neighbor is our kin, though he may be hard-pressed. No greater love—to give our best, then we can rest. . . Deathbed Request Forgive, and you will be forgiven. (ESV) Pardon, and you will be pardoned. (NASB1995) Release, and ye shall be released. (YLT) —Jesus, Luke 6:37 Give me release from all my fears. My passage from this old world nears, and I would be at peace today, so my forgiveness I’d convey to everyone from prior years. I hope that everyone who hears my plea for pardon quickly clears his mind of all my errant ways. __Give me release! Now that I have forgiven peers and asked for pardon from my dears, I can slip off this heavy clay and confidently hear Him say, “Your debt for sin no more appears. __You are released!” . . Alan Steinle, originally from Oklahoma, is a writer, editor, and translator. NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Trending now: 5 Responses Paddy Raghunathan June 17, 2023 Alan, Beautiful poems…they read like prayers, both of them. Loved the second one…perhaps because I have a fondness for a rondeau. Keep writing! Paddy Reply Margaret Coats June 17, 2023 Good scriptures pondering Scripture, Alan. I am impressed by the monorhyming in “The Test.” “Deathbed Request” shows how different translations contribute to full understanding. I have heard that the Author of the original can reach through any competent translation to convey His particular message to readers whom He knows will encounter Him there. Reply Rafa Moras June 17, 2023 Nicely done, Alan! Reverential, profound. Keep them coming!!! Reply Yael June 17, 2023 I love scripture based poems and this is a very nice pair, great job! Reply Alan Steinle June 18, 2023 Thank you for your comments. Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Paddy Raghunathan June 17, 2023 Alan, Beautiful poems…they read like prayers, both of them. Loved the second one…perhaps because I have a fondness for a rondeau. Keep writing! Paddy Reply
Margaret Coats June 17, 2023 Good scriptures pondering Scripture, Alan. I am impressed by the monorhyming in “The Test.” “Deathbed Request” shows how different translations contribute to full understanding. I have heard that the Author of the original can reach through any competent translation to convey His particular message to readers whom He knows will encounter Him there. Reply
