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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Risk (05/17/12)
Shall I stay or shall I go?


Luke 10:30-37
Matthew 25:31-46



I couldn’t do much, I’m here on my own,
There's no-one to help, and I've no mobile phone.
The danger is high, its a place full of crime,
And I've no opportunity to call 999.
He’s in a bad way, that's quite plain to see,
But someone will help, it’s not up to me.

The conditions are dirty, and if I just stayed
It’s really no place to offer first aid.
I've no plastic gloves, no cleansing hand-gel,
No antibiotic to make this man well.
The risks are too great, he might have HIV,
Let someone else help, it's not up to me.

It seems he needs nursing and medical care
And that leaves the question of 'Who', 'How' and 'Where'.
You can't choose just anyone, that wouldn't do
You’d have to be trained, with at least NVQ.
Then there's the matter of 'Who pays the fee'?
Let someone else help, take the burden off me.

If I need to lift him off this dirty track,
Without more assistance, I'd damage my back.
He could ride on my donkey, I suppose that is true
But if the mule stumbled, he could blame me and sue.
How could I afford then a high court-case fee?
Its better to leave him, its better for me.

But ....

‘I was hungry and thirsty, you bought food, drink my way,
I was lonely, a stranger, you asked me to stay.
I was naked, you clothed me, in prison you came,
And when I was sick you were there once again.
‘Lord, when did I do this, I wasn’t aware
Of meeting your need, of giving you care?’
‘I tell you the truth so the truth you may see,
What you do for another, you do unto me.’
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This article has been read 920 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Francy Judge 
05/25/12
I enjoyed your poem--reminded me of a modern Good Samaritan story told with nice rhythm and rhyme. Very good.
C D Swanson 
05/26/12
An all together brilliant poem and entry. I was captivated by your words and the powerful ending...as a prolific message as we remember Jesus' words:
"...Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me" One of my favorite Gospels, Matthew.

Loved this. Thanks so much.

God bless~
Beth Muehlhausen
05/26/12
Beautifully written, great job with the topic, and very convicting! I was especially impacted by those last lines: it's not up to me, take the burden off me, it's better for me, "you do unto me."
Carol Penhorwood 
05/28/12
Beautifully written and flows smooth as butter!
Leah Nichols 
05/29/12
Great poem; easy to read with no stumbling over rhyme or meter. Your message is clear as well. Overall an excellent entry.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
05/30/12
Wow, I really loved this. The flow seemed effortless. I figured that the things I didn't understand are because I'm not as up on British lingo as I should be. (My first clue was mobile phone, at least I knew that one :)) Then I figured 999 is the same as our 911> NVQ made me scratch my head but I thought it might replace our EMT but I had to google it to be sure and found National Vocation Qualification. I love learning new things and it also reminds me that my audience is world-wide too. What tingles I get when I think how our writing is being read all over the world. This piece should be read by as many people as possible not only because it is divine but because the message Jesus taught us and you so eloquently included in your poem is a universal message.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
06/01/12
Congratulations for ranking 25 overall!