21 - Monody Poetry
A form originating from the solo ode sung in a greek tragedy. Any poem of lament for someones death.
With such a vague definition I struggled to get traction until I realised the Jeremiah's Lamentations are a Monody.
Lament for Adam's Dead Children
In darkness walks all mankind, Adam's children, no better than beasts.
Nations and thier cities, all their glory, no better than blindness.
Death inhabits our warp and weft, ruling without a word.
It reaps, it reaps, relentlessly the passing human herd.
Silken lies and petty thievery stain us through and through.
Grime ingrains us but we wash our hands of it.
Rich rulers, wanting more, make poorer their captive poor.
Abhorrent men make war, owning no law except that of cruelty.
Crying, crying, laughing, the human race builds its towers on the sands of Babylon.
Earth breaks and quakes with their wieght. It groans with the pain of waiting.
Evil always moving through dark shadows, the shadows made by men.
Night-darkness loving, it throws out and wide its net of lies.
Those who seek truth, even they are ensared and struggle to survive
Hear our cries O Father of light! Deliver us from evil!
Reasoning with darkened minds, men wrestle like rats in sacks of bones.
Arrogant beyond measure, we measure and measure, yet always in error.
Long the night of Adam's sorrows, though there in is feast and jest.
Long the weary pilgrim journey ever in the shadow of death.
Efface the darkness O Good God, declare the death of death.
Deliver us from evil, O Giver of our every breath.
Sinner that I am, I bow down before your Holy Face.
In grace I would bathe and be cleansed of my every stain.
No sacrifice of mine can atone for my crimes against a holy God.
Nothing I bring but a begger with sin bowed down.
Eternal One forgive, God of grace give life to this dead one.
Release this prisoner of death while still he has breath.
Beautiful the feet that walked the waves to crush the serpent head.
Exulted the Name of He who nailed the curse to slayed the snake.
See Him lifted up, the wounded saviour, a man of sorrows.
Answer his call of love, "Come to me all you wounded ones."
Victory was gained by his bloody death. Now death itself will be slain.
Enter into life through this door of his bloody sacrifice.
Death has no more hold upon the soul that puts its trust in Him.
Believe, be freed, whosoever you are, however near, however far.
You children of Adam, turn to The Light of this world from above.
Christ was willing to die unjustly that you might be right with God.
He willingly gave up his pure life that you might have life everlasting.
Raised from the dead, with trumpet call He will raise up all who are his.
In rejoicing will sad earth renew and welcome the conquering hero.
Sons and daughters of Adam turn, turn, from the shadow of death.
Turn from beastdom, to be reborn by the Spirit of God.
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