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.
-
Author:
Tristan Robert Lange (
Offline) - Published: October 15th, 2024 17:54
- Comment from author about the poem: This found sestina in iambic tetrameter uses text from a Billy Graham statement during a 1987 crusade in Denver (as reported by WGBH News), an August 14, 2024 Franklin Graham Tweet, and the King James Version of Revelation 2:4–5. It explores the significant shift in evangelical engagement with politics across generations. All borrowed text is used under fair use for commentary and critique.
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 8
Offline)
Comments4
This must have taken a bit of work. good write
Indeed. This one was a challenge to write, especially working within a specific meter within an already complex form and then utilizing three different quotes across generations, and finding which quotes to use, was certainly a unique but very rewarding experience for me. I am so thankful for your time in reading it and certainly in engaging! Thank you so much my friend! I am glad it resonated.
Good write T.
Thank you so much! I really appreciate it!
Sorry I don't know all the background to this.
Not a problem my friend. I will post the research here for your's and everyone's edification:
This is where you can find the full Billy Graham quote taken from a crusade he held in Denver, CO in 1987:
"I'm trying to stay out of it and just keep preaching the gospel, because there's nothing coming out of Washington or any of those places that are going to save the world or transform men and women. It's Christ." — Billy Graham,
https://youtu.be/fxmkczQfq58?si=kQCgGproj0O00ny9&t=1687
I also quoted Franklin Graham in an August 14, 2024 tweet on X (formerly Twitter), where he said: "The liberals are using anything and everything they can to promote candidate Harris. They even developed a political ad trying to use my father @BillyGraham's image. They are trying to mislead people. Maybe they don't know that my father appreciated the conservative values and policies of President @realDonaldTrump in 2016, and if he were alive today, my father's views and opinions would not have changed."
This can be found: https://x.com/Franklin_Graham/status/1823870957259309221
And of course, I quoted the KJV of Revelation 2:4-5:
"Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."
I hope this helps you. Sorry for the length of this comment, but I figured I would make the research easier for you. ❤️
I wrote this poem in a way that juxtaposes Franklin Graham's more politically-charged focus with his father's clear, and well-articulated position of "staying out" of partisan politics and sticking preaching the Gospel, which he was well-known and well-respected for doing. This juxtaposition, along with the addition of Scripture, makes up the critique.
Thank you again for reading and engaging with my work, as always. I really appreciate you. 🙏
Thanks T. Erm, I followed the candlestick bit in the first place, but not much else. This explanation helps.
For anyone reading and interested in checking out the research:
Here is where you can find the full Billy Graham quote taken from a crusade he held in Denver, CO in 1987:
"I'm trying to stay out of it and just keep preaching the gospel, because there's nothing coming out of Washington or any of those places that are going to save the world or transform men and women. It's Christ." — Billy Graham,
https://youtu.be/fxmkczQfq58?si=kQCgGproj0O00ny9&t=1687
I also quoted Franklin Graham in an August 14, 2024 tweet on X (formerly Twitter), where he said: "The liberals are using anything and everything they can to promote candidate Harris. They even developed a political ad trying to use my father @BillyGraham's image. They are trying to mislead people. Maybe they don't know that my father appreciated the conservative values and policies of President @realDonaldTrump in 2016, and if he were alive today, my father's views and opinions would not have changed."
This can be found: https://x.com/Franklin_Graham/status/1823870957259309221
And of course, I quoted the KJV of Revelation 2:4-5:
"Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."
I wrote this poem in a way that juxtaposes Franklin Graham's more politically-charged focus with his father's clear, and well-articulated position of "staying out" of partisan politics and sticking preaching the Gospel, which he was well-known and well-respected for doing. This juxtaposition, along with the addition of Scripture, makes up the critique.
To be able to comment and rate this poem, you must be registered. Register here or if you are already registered, login here.