Innocents Immolated

orchidee



Tune: Eventide

('Abide with me')

Matthew 2 v.13-18

For Holy Innocents Day - Dec 28

************

Angel appeared to Joseph in a dream

Said, Now depart, all is not as does seem

Take the young child and his mother and flee

Into Egypt, then there your safety be

 

For Herod will seek the child to destroy

Him, will use of evil tricks and of ploy

So they departed, in Egypt did stay

'Til word of prophecy fulfilled one day

 

The word was, Out of Egypt I have called

My son, Herod is dead, be not appalled

For while he lived, with murderous intent

Would kill boys under two, his soldiers sent

 

Through Bethlehem and its coasts they did go

Misery, suffering did parents know

Yet fulfilled was another prophecy

E'en through this, though children innocent be

 

The word was, Hark, voice heard, lamentation

Weeping, great mourning, and consternation

Rachel, mother-figure of Israel

Weeps for her children, and her comforts fail

  • Author: orchidee (Offline Offline)
  • Published: December 28th, 2023 03:15
  • Comment from author about the poem: A hymn-poem in 10.10.10.10. A dark story, not at Christmas itself, but when Jesus was a 'young child', and the event remembered on this day of the year. 'Immolated' has an emphasis in destruction, especially by fire, but the innocents destruction was not likely in that way.
  • Category: Spiritual
  • Views: 8
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Comments3

  • sorenbarrett

    An echo of the killing of infants that led Moses' mother to place him in a reed basket in the Nile. Also reflected in Egyptian mythology. Good write Orchi

    • orchidee

      Thanks SB.

    • Neville


      an interesting footnote Mr. O

      • orchidee

        Thanks N.

      • Goldfinch60

        Good one Orchi.

        • orchidee

          Thanks Gold.



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