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The Ten Words
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The Ten Words |
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Kenneth Ray Taylor Member
since 1999-11-11
Posts 139Duluth, Minnesota, USA |
This is my wife's favorite of all my poems. It's also one of my earliest. The Ten Words (Exodus 20; Deuteronomy 5) The mountain smoked, the thunder pealed, when Ten Commandments God revealed. He's saved us; we're no longer slaves! So this is how we must behave: 1 Our God and Savior up above deserves our first and foremost love. Whatever else that we put first becomes our god and brings a curse. 2 Demanding loyalty, God says we must not worship images. For He is God, and He alone; His likeness can't be carved from stone. 3 In reverence we should speak His name. Don't use it in a careless way. For God will punish those who do. I pray it be not me nor you! 4 Six days we work, then take off one to contemplate what God has done. For God created all in six then threw a Sabbath in the mix. 5 Give your parents honor due. If not for them, there'd be no you. And may you find, when you are old, your children treat you good as gold. 6 Of all God's creatures only us were made in His own image. Thus we must respect each human life, not murder, hate, or gender strife. 7 And what is dear to man as life, if not his spouse, his friend, his wife? So venture not to share your bed with any but to whom you're wed. 8 The things you have should be enough. So don't you swipe your neighbor's stuff. And this is only fair, of course, that he must keep his hands off yours. 9 Speak well of folks; and as you do, be sure that what you say is true. And if some evil you must say, then say it in the kindest way. 10 Do not desire your neighbor's spouse nor anything within his house. For envy robs one's peace of mind. In your own gifts contentment find. [When I originally posted this poem, the first two lines read: The mountain smoked, the thunder pealed, when these Ten Words our God revealed. But everyone liked this altered version better, and so do I. Thank you all for your advice and help.] [This message has been edited by Kenneth Ray Taylor (edited 11-20-1999).] |
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| © Copyright 1999 Kenneth Ray Taylor - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Ohme Senior Member
since 1999-07-17
Posts 816Texas |
Kenneth, I agree. You might also consider; when these Ten works our God revealed. or something similar. ------------------ I look forward to tomorrow, while looking back on the past. But today is the day I am living. And I expect it to be a great day! |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
A nice view on the Ten Commandments. I like the second version of the first two lines better  |
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Marilyn Member Elite
since 1999-09-26
Posts 2621Ontario, Canada |
I love this...Wonderfully done Sir. I too like the revision of the first two lines. |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
Wonderful work here Kenneth. Personally, I like: The mountain smoked, the thunder pealed, when Ten Commandments God revealed. If you have any more spiritual poetry I would like to invite you to check out the "Spiritual Forum"...of course you can just go there to read if you don't have any more... Good poem. Michael |
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Kenneth Ray Taylor Member
since 1999-11-11
Posts 139Duluth, Minnesota, USA |
Michael, Thank you for the invitation to the Spirtual Forum. I didn't realize there was one. Yes, I've written many religious poems as well as secular ones. I've decided to change the opening lines, since everyone seems to like the revision better. |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
This is beautiful. A great way to remember the 10 Commandments. Glad you found your way to our family! |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
I transferred this poem here from the open forum, (with Kenneth's permission of course), in hopes it would better reach the desired audience here. The ten commandments...can you imagine what life would be like for just one day if everyone obeyed them? They, like too many other things in this life are taken for granted. These are the words of God, they should be foremost in all thoughts and actions,(in my opinion, anyway). Kenneth, thanks for bringing these back into focus. Michael |
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Echo Rhayne Senior Member
since 1999-09-17
Posts 1495Canyon Country, CA |
I have to say that I like "The mountain smoked, the thunder pealed, when Ten Commandments God revealed." better myself. As for the poem, this is a great poem and a great way to remember the ten commandments! I have to agree with Michael though, 'what' if eveyone in the world obeyed them for one day..imagine what that day would be like, imagine how great everyone would feel! This is a great poem and thank you Michael for moving it over here! ------------------ ~*~ Time erases and rewrites all the lines. What remains is the poetry! ~*~ |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
This was fantastic! I loved it. I'm gonna print this out if that's ok with you?? And maybe add a the in there... When the Ten Commandements God revealed. Excellent work Kenneth! |
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Pepper Member Elite
since 1999-08-19
Posts 3079Southern Florida |
A wonderful piece Kenneth. I also like the revision of the first lines. ------------------ A soul that writes from the heart and shares it, truly gives a gift extraordinaire! |
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Julie Senior Member
since 1999-08-20
Posts 739Houston, TX |
Well done Kenneth and a very original piece. |
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deleeme Senior Member
since 1999-10-09
Posts 1766NEW ENGLAND, USA |
I never saw such a poetic treatment of the ten commandments--but I like this very well-You are to be commended, The Lord be praised. ------------------ "Our Creativity points to a Higher Creator--we couldn't have just happened, and for what ability we may possess--to God be the glory." -dlw- |
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Kenneth Ray Taylor Member
since 1999-11-11
Posts 139Duluth, Minnesota, USA |
I'm flattered by anyone who wants to use my poem. I originally wrote it because I was upset about a co-worker who constantly used the Lord's name in vain. It isn't that I have delicate ears. It's just that I know that God said, "I will not hold him guiltless who takes my name in vain." And I don't want anyone I care about to be on the wrong side of that "promise." |
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