A far away land is where he was
Headed, going in the opposite
Direction of where God led him.
He was told to go to Ninevah,
But he ran to Tarshish instead.
Jonah is scared and dares not go,
Running to the City of Joppa.
Many people from faraway lands,
Have entered this cities’ gates,
Through these gates now Jonah
Goes, hoping no one will know
Who this man is who has disobeyed.
He had been a faithful prophet of
God, pleading with his people to
Turn from their rebellious ways.
They laughed at him, scorning his
Word they had heard many times
Before.
Among drunken men, he searches
For a bed.
As Jonah sleeps he is full of
Dreams of his lies and deceit.
The wharf is wet and slippery as
Dawn slips it’s way through the evening
Sky.
Fisherman pull anchors, slowly
Guiding boats from the wooden
Piers, casting nets into the darkened
Waters.
After a restless night Jonah boards
A ship going to the city,
Sitting on an island, surrounded by
Sparkling waters.
We don’t know for sure, and some
Disagree, that it actually dwelt on
An island, or perhaps on the cliffs
Overlooking the sea, surrounded
By shores of sand and palm trees.
Of children building sand castles
And laughing at the dolphins,
While mothers wait on the shores
For their husbands.
Now Tarshish is noted for its metals
Of gold, silver, iron and lead.
A great king lives here, ruling over
All. On his table are many delicacies,
Bread and wine, and the finest
Goblets and plates, made of this’d was
Lead, causing royalty and wealthy
To die at an early age.
But the poor who could not afford
Such luxury, were saved from an
Early grave.
The fleet of ships sailing to this city,
Bear exotic animals and birds,
Monkeys and apes, lepers and tigers,
Peacocks with plumage of
Iridescent colors, strutting in their
Elegant style, crying strange calls
They learned in the wild….
Dressed in silver lace, harems of
Maidens with garlands of flowers
And ribbons at the waist, are
Called to dance before the king.
Spicy condiments and sweet
Pressed wines tantalize the tastes
Of his concubines….
Excerpts from the book ‘The Runaway’
For continued reading
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