by Lydia Rule, RTF Staff Writer

(Proverbs 1:20-33)

Waiting in the streets

To rescue from night

Wisdom cries, for people

To follow The Light

Wisdom shoved aside;

People running past

“Listen to my fated plea!

Listen to truth at last!”

Wisdom speaks loudly

Through many voices

Of those around you

Forewarning choices

To the daughter who tries

To hid truth’s ugly head

Hurting her family

Remorse is soon fed

To the girl inside whose

Starry eyes glow

For a lover that will

Only deceit show

To the boy whose choices

Haunt him as a man

For in his very youth

Wisdom he didn’t plan

To the fellow who lives

Only for his pleasure

Cares not for reputation

Ban gentleman measure

To the man who has much

To prove, less to claim

Has a spark of goodness

But not the needed flame

To the couple who forget

Time is in God’s hand

Instead, jump Wisdom’s clock

Failing to understand

To the couple whose vows

Have not yet been said

Yet chasity proclaim

Reputations stained red

To the teacher who

Is given a task

A model for children

Wearing mockery’s mask

To the believer whose

Life and Lord conflict

Choosing shackled chains

Over a life well spent

To all these, Wisdom holds

Up a looking glass

Sin’s hidden form unfolds

Dark future encompass

This is what awaits all

Who deafen their ears

To Wisdom’s warning

God’s wrath you may fear

Ignorance makes a drink

Drink each sour drop

What you verily sow

You reap, and bring to crop

Tell truly, those who heed

My little poetic tale

Is this Wisdom’s voice?

Or is it Wisdom’s wail?