“Go to the great city of Ninevah, Jonah
An intriguing story of God’s love for us,
was commanded, but Jonah went in a
different direction than where he was sent”
even when we stray from His path, He is always
waiting for us to return to Him!
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, with bottles
Of beer
He searches for a bed.
As Jonah sleeps he is besought
With his deceit and lies.
The wharf is wet and slippery as
Dawn slips 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 this 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 the return of 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
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,
Bare 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.
A great entourage of soldiers bow
Before the king, waving flags of
Victory, presenting their slaves before
Him.
Evening draws near, shadows of
Darkness enter the night.
After all this merriment the king is
Tired, calling his musicians to play
Their flutes and harps.
Sailors bearing their treasures
Earn good pay, but dangers plague
Them.
These bronzed skinned men are prey
To scavengers on high. Hoping for
Pirates to plunder the ships, that
They may pick their bones with
Their devilish plights.
Dangerous waves beat upon rocks
And stones, as the sailors swim to
Treacherous shores.
Jonah is tired as he boards the ship
Laying down to sleep, what matter
That the east winds blow, that the
Ship rises and falls from angry waves?
Jonah sleeps through it all!
Neglecting the call to go to Nineveh,
With God’s message to turn to God.
The miles swiftly fly, as currents
Flow between two cities, pulling
The vessel in the wrong direction,
Taking him from where he should go.
The ships white masts shine against
Rich red wood. Carved figures engraved
On the bow, of mermaids directing
Their travels, trusting in the tales
They tell.
Sailors row the ship till the masts
Are blown. Then begins singing and
Drinking from wine skins overflowing.
In the wake of the night, clouds arise,
Fading away the moon and stars.
They have no charts to direct their
Way, and are frightened by the angry
Waves.
Waters are stirred as the ocean roars
Men crying to their gods to save them.
Sea birds cry, stiffening their wings,
Taking flight.
Planks of the ship groan and complain,
Waters threaten to engulf the stern and
Hull. Even phantoms of the ocean’s
Depths fear for their lives, where darkness
Mingles with winds of death.
Sleets of rain tear at their skin, chains
Of the ship rattle and clank. Throwing
Cargo overboard to lighten the load.
All of their possessions sink.
Mice and rats scatter and drown,
Floating in ocean waters for the
Predators meal.
Descending with his lantern, shaking
From fear, the captain calls this strange
Man below. “Arise, call on your God, that
We will not perish” are the words he cries.
Stirring from his restless sleep, lots are
Cast, that they may see who has caused
This fury. The lot falls upon Jonah, who
Fears God, but ran from Him and hid,
Thinking no one would know, but God did.
There is much anger toward Jonah, and
He asks these men to throw him into the
Sea, then it will become calm again.
Jonah is thrown into the waters at God’s
Command, but He prepares a whale to
Swallow him…
It takes a lot of faith to believe this
Story, but God’s word never lies!
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‘The Runaway’
Donna's Poetry Blog 