deceit and forgiveness
Caryl Ramsdale, American Poet
DELILAH
Story: An overt liar, with a perverted sense of loyalty, who lured an Israelite hero to ruin
Delilah means “Languishing”
to Arletia McInnis
A one piece garment with a tight fit
Seemed to hinder the length of her stride;
As she slipped silently through a space
Unnoticed, she passed by his bedside.
Cautiously slinking away to meet
With a few wealthy men of power;
Her soft, finely decorated gown
Was unsuitable for that strange hour.
But this Philistine courtesan was
A woman of pleasure and of greed;
Motivated by promised fortune
And no conscience, she did the bad deed.
On three occasions she nagged the man
That visited her night after night;
To share the secret of his great strength
So men could seize him, without a fight.
Three times this man, of long hair, mocked her,
‘Cause teasing her always amused him;
But the fourth time the temptress triumphed,
Head shaved—weak—he was taken by them.
This judge, this Nazarite, this strong man
That she exploited so easily;
Never again saw the light of day,
Both his eyes gouged out—he could not see.
His lover was not mentioned again,
She didn’t see him tortured and scorned;
Or witness him praying earnestly,
If she had they might have been forewarned.
When he felt a breeze tousle his hair—
Could see clearly with a godly heart—
His sins and the fool he'd become...he
Asked to be used...once more set apart.
He leaned on two support columns and
Destroyed the temple of a false god;
Crushed three-thousand people gathered there—
Israel’s enemy had felt God’s rod.
Samson’s death brought about greater good,
God used his enemies and his sin;
To show us where we’re going counts for
More than what we’ve done or where we’ve been.
That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon my head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother’s womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man. JUDGES 16:17KJV
~ Pray for good and bad—people and things—in your space in time—to be used for God's Glory...it pleases God. ~
© Copyright 1999-2007 Caryl Ramsdale. All rights reserved.
NewsongsOnline.org
October 07, 2005