Tristan Robert Lange

Candlestick Removed

A Found Sestina for Franklin Graham in Iambic Tetrameter

“They’re trying to mislead” from love:

Those people who read the Gospel

That teaches us all to repent;

Yet—determined to “remember”—

False comparisons to father,

Who must see how far you’ve fallen.

Yes, it’s true we are all fallen

And we are all in need of love,

“Going to save,” says your father,

“It’s Christ.” That is the true Gospel.

This is a truth to remember:

Were he “alive”, he’d shout repent!

“Somewhat against thee”, do repent,

Or I “come unto thee”, fallen

Because you will not remember

Thy heav’nly call to “thy first love”

And preach our Lord’s holy Gospel,

As did your humble, true father.

I wish you were like your father,

Franklin, I wish you would repent

And turn back to the bless’d Gospel—

Don’t stay there where you have fallen—

But return back to thy “first love”,

The “Candlestick” to remember.

And why would you not remember,

Having known the love your father

Had for his Christ’s inclusive love,

Why won’t you kneel down and repent,

Instead of leading more—fallen—

To the devil’s anti-gospel?

“Out of it” father stayed, love.

He tried to repent—remember?

Not fallen, he loved the Gospel.

© 2024 Tristan Robert Lange. All rights reserved.