Hello to everyone. I just finished writing this poem and thought I would share it here. If you choose to read it, could you let me know if the poem flows well or not. What I mean is: Is it easy to read and stay in rhythm or is it hard to keep flow. When I read it to myself, the rhythm flows easily, but I realize that since I am the one who wrote it, I know how it is supposed to flow. So I am trying to get outside input as to how easy or difficult this is to read. Thanks for the input, I am ultimately trying to figure out whether the written version is good enough, or if I need to put together an audio/video version to go along with it.
I originally wrote this in all capitals. However, when I copied it here it converted to all lower case. This is not to big of a deal except that some proper nouns are now lower case. I hope you will tolerate this little problem.
Jason Holman
OH DEATH WHERE IS YOUR STING!
Oh death i taunt- where is your sting
you sit up high - as if a king
yes you have power - but none twords me
cause from your grip - i’ve been set free
so now you wonder - how it’s true
that someone has escaped from you
your chains were tight - your locks held fast
just what went wrong - i hear you ask
please take a seat - we’ll have a chat
and i will gladly answer that
when all’s been said - and end is reached
you’ll know just how your walls were breached
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
in vaults called time is history kept
adam woke while you still slept
first conscious man - first human birth
first son of god to walk the earth
deep blue sky - thick green sod
morning walks along with god
great days of joy - great days of peace
but all to soon those days would cease
the rule was one - but very clear
enjoy yourself- but don’t go near
the tree has knowledge you don’t need
obey my voice - oh please take heed
ignore my voice - you lose it all
my spirit leaves - your world will fall
the choice i give- it’s your’s to make
but choose the wrong - and death will wake
and so we know that adam fell
then you awoke along with hell
with greedy hands and lustful eyes
adam’s seed became your prize
you took your spoil and shut them in
you were the payment for there sin
man’s days would now be lived in fear
always hoping you weren’t near
and so the years passed by and by
men were born and men would die
this seemed to be the story’s sum
but god said wait - there’s more to come
then in a way that few can see
god gave a man a gaurantee
and with some study and exam
you’ll see that this was abraham
to abraham was promise said
you’ll rise up someday from the dead
and now the question could begin
it’s not an if but only when
the world still turned and time still crept
but no hint of the promise kept
and just as hope began decline
god moved again for abram’s line
a covenant made and law was given
but sins price was not forgiven
ignorance could be claimed no longer
law made you death even stronger
and so your seat of power grew
it must have seemed like god was through
but this idea was wrongly thought
for through was one thing god was not
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
one thing is clear in history’s tail
kingdoms rise then kingdoms fail
and though you felt above them all
the time had come for yours to fall
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
heaven stirring - angels rise
signs now showing in the skies
stage now set and curtains drawn
the reign of life about to dawn
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
at first he seemed like any other
child born to glowing mother
one more life in your domain
one more soul to feel your pain
but here-in lies your first mistake
this child was not yours to take
though through the womb this boy was got
adams seed this child was not
but he instead was from god’s line
free from sin and adam’s fine
so death you see that it is true
that this man owed no debt to you
but this was more than you could stand
he must fall beneath your hand
to your throne he must come under
make him repeat adam’s blunder
so you led him to the tree
hoping he would also see
the lovely fruit - nice to the eyes
good to eat and make one wise
though he was tempted - he stayed strong
he chose the good and shunned the wrong
and now the fact was clear to see
your servant he would never be
but then an unexpected deed
shook your world and fed your greed
the earth stood still and all hell smiled
as god gave you his only child
his reason never crossed your mind
your lust to strike had made you blind
with rage and furry now unmasked
you carried out your morbid task
ideas to kill were at no loss
reeds and whips and then the cross
one final blow you gave god’s son
and just like that your deed was done
with ego now increased in size
you ask a friend to guard your prize
and so he locked him in his cell
some call him grave - some call him hell
you knew the grave could hold men tight
the sins they’d done gave him this right
but this you failed to keep in mind
a sin in him you could not find
and since the god of all was fair
he couldn’t leave his child there
he tasted death - he drank the cup
the time had come to raise him up
and with a voice both loud and strong
god sang the resurection song
thou art my son let all men see
this day have i begotten thee
and just like that - the story’s told
the grave released his heavy hold
the man you slew now filled with breath
no more to taste of you oh death
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
but now the question comes to call
why let the son taste death at all
was this all just a useless game
a stunt without a point to name
a useless game this act was not
but though this act was victory got
for all of those from abrams tree
were now from chains of death set free
but how you ask can one man’s deed
effect the whole of abrams seed
just one man died - just one man rose
yet life unto the many flows?
It is a riddle i confess
but one that has been solved no less
a clue i give you as i cry
in marriage does the answere lie
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
in early days of garden life
god created man a wife
from adam’s rib from adam’s side
god gave man his help and bride
quickly adam brought her near
and then announced for her to hear
“from my bone you came to be
you’re of my flesh you’re part of me
and even though it’s me and you
god dosen’t count us as a two
for when a husband takes a wife
the two become a single life”
this is the rule that god had made
and by it was the footing laid
it’s by this law – this legal tower
that the work of christ has power
if you take away this clause
his death no longer has a cause
i tell you truth - i speak no lie
it’s by this law i will not die
now death i see you doubt my speech
but please remain and let me teach
i’ll do the best that i can do
to make this mystery plain to you
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
in time before in days gone by
i truly was a foolish guy
i spoke of god and called him lord
but only to receive reward
as i look back the picture’s clear
i had no love - i had no fear
towards the maker of the sea
rebellion’s all that flowed from me
but then the god of mercy came
and in his kindess called my name
he said “repent and turn around
you’re lost oh man but can be found
it’s time to choose the good and right
and follow me with all your might
make me lord and let me reign
without pursuit of selfish gain”
and just like that i saw my flaw
then turned and made him lord of all
my choice was firm - my choice was sound
no wavering could in me be found
and with this choice god took delight
he danced and sang in angels sight
it really was a sight to see
to think that that was all for me
but though his favor i had gained
adams child i remained
and as a part of adam’s race
my debt to death was still in place
but of my fate god wasn’t blind
he knew that it was on my mind
and so he came to me and spake
the words that would stir hope awake
he said “dear child - to you i give
a way to die - and yet still live”
i ask him how could this be done
and next he took me to his son
i met the son and quickly knew
that loyalty to him was due
he was the king by god’s decree
so unto him i bowed my knee
i pledged my love – i kissed his hand
i said “your wish is my command”
he was the king whom i would serve
and from that vow i would not swerve
and then this king of untold fame
stood me up and spoke my name
he said that he was pleased to see
my heart of love and loyalty
with joyful eyes that did not dim
he said that i was one with him
“through marriage we are now one flesh
the old is gone and all is fresh
all i have i share with you
for is that not what husbands do
so many things i will provide
for you who i now call my bride”
then as he spoke this final word
a mighty change in me occurred
your chains oh death fell to my feet
and all my fears took quick retreat
i found my self in joy arrayed
i knew my debt to you was payed
and that oh death is how it’s true
that this man has escaped from you
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
but here we are at story’s end
and yet you fail to comprehend
so you ask me to explain
how marriage freed me from your chain
to your request i will comply
it’s not easy but i’ll try
more words i craft and engineer
in hope to make this mystery clear
you see oh death – when marriage came
i joined with christ and took his name
now i’m in christ and he’s in me
and here in lies the gospel’s key
for when upon the cross he died
i was there within his side
and as he died – i died too
and therefore paid my debt to you
now had i died upon my own
forever in the grave i’d groan
but that was not the case for me
i died with one who owed no fee
and so the god who loved his son
caused your deed to be undone
he sang the resurection song
and as christ rose – i tagged along
first born as adam’s seed was i
but then with christ i went to die
next i rose and that is when
this child of earth was born again
so here i am alive afresh
but no longer as adam’s flesh
adams son is dead and gone
his sinful ways will not live on
but now i live as god own seed
for is this not what god decreed?
When he raised christ from the dead
thou art my son is what he said
and since the christ and i are one
the words god spoke made me his son
so i can shout – it’s not a lie
a full fledged child of god am i
eternal life is now my claim
it’s carried in my family name
we think of you and have no fear
for you oh death cannot come near
oh death it’s true my flesh will fade
and in the ground i will be laid
but this is not a long term state
it’s just my bed as i awate
some day the to one whom i’m bound
will come to earth with trumpet sound
and to that sound i will arise
to take my part in heavens prize
my flesh of dust will be no more
but god has greater things in store
sown in weakness – raised in power
corruption can no more devour
i’ll join the whole of abrams seed
my brothers who were also freed
and on occasion we will sing
oh death oh death where is your sting?
I originally wrote this in all capitals. However, when I copied it here it converted to all lower case. This is not to big of a deal except that some proper nouns are now lower case. I hope you will tolerate this little problem.
Jason Holman
OH DEATH WHERE IS YOUR STING!
Oh death i taunt- where is your sting
you sit up high - as if a king
yes you have power - but none twords me
cause from your grip - i’ve been set free
so now you wonder - how it’s true
that someone has escaped from you
your chains were tight - your locks held fast
just what went wrong - i hear you ask
please take a seat - we’ll have a chat
and i will gladly answer that
when all’s been said - and end is reached
you’ll know just how your walls were breached
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
in vaults called time is history kept
adam woke while you still slept
first conscious man - first human birth
first son of god to walk the earth
deep blue sky - thick green sod
morning walks along with god
great days of joy - great days of peace
but all to soon those days would cease
the rule was one - but very clear
enjoy yourself- but don’t go near
the tree has knowledge you don’t need
obey my voice - oh please take heed
ignore my voice - you lose it all
my spirit leaves - your world will fall
the choice i give- it’s your’s to make
but choose the wrong - and death will wake
and so we know that adam fell
then you awoke along with hell
with greedy hands and lustful eyes
adam’s seed became your prize
you took your spoil and shut them in
you were the payment for there sin
man’s days would now be lived in fear
always hoping you weren’t near
and so the years passed by and by
men were born and men would die
this seemed to be the story’s sum
but god said wait - there’s more to come
then in a way that few can see
god gave a man a gaurantee
and with some study and exam
you’ll see that this was abraham
to abraham was promise said
you’ll rise up someday from the dead
and now the question could begin
it’s not an if but only when
the world still turned and time still crept
but no hint of the promise kept
and just as hope began decline
god moved again for abram’s line
a covenant made and law was given
but sins price was not forgiven
ignorance could be claimed no longer
law made you death even stronger
and so your seat of power grew
it must have seemed like god was through
but this idea was wrongly thought
for through was one thing god was not
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
one thing is clear in history’s tail
kingdoms rise then kingdoms fail
and though you felt above them all
the time had come for yours to fall
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
heaven stirring - angels rise
signs now showing in the skies
stage now set and curtains drawn
the reign of life about to dawn
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
at first he seemed like any other
child born to glowing mother
one more life in your domain
one more soul to feel your pain
but here-in lies your first mistake
this child was not yours to take
though through the womb this boy was got
adams seed this child was not
but he instead was from god’s line
free from sin and adam’s fine
so death you see that it is true
that this man owed no debt to you
but this was more than you could stand
he must fall beneath your hand
to your throne he must come under
make him repeat adam’s blunder
so you led him to the tree
hoping he would also see
the lovely fruit - nice to the eyes
good to eat and make one wise
though he was tempted - he stayed strong
he chose the good and shunned the wrong
and now the fact was clear to see
your servant he would never be
but then an unexpected deed
shook your world and fed your greed
the earth stood still and all hell smiled
as god gave you his only child
his reason never crossed your mind
your lust to strike had made you blind
with rage and furry now unmasked
you carried out your morbid task
ideas to kill were at no loss
reeds and whips and then the cross
one final blow you gave god’s son
and just like that your deed was done
with ego now increased in size
you ask a friend to guard your prize
and so he locked him in his cell
some call him grave - some call him hell
you knew the grave could hold men tight
the sins they’d done gave him this right
but this you failed to keep in mind
a sin in him you could not find
and since the god of all was fair
he couldn’t leave his child there
he tasted death - he drank the cup
the time had come to raise him up
and with a voice both loud and strong
god sang the resurection song
thou art my son let all men see
this day have i begotten thee
and just like that - the story’s told
the grave released his heavy hold
the man you slew now filled with breath
no more to taste of you oh death
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
but now the question comes to call
why let the son taste death at all
was this all just a useless game
a stunt without a point to name
a useless game this act was not
but though this act was victory got
for all of those from abrams tree
were now from chains of death set free
but how you ask can one man’s deed
effect the whole of abrams seed
just one man died - just one man rose
yet life unto the many flows?
It is a riddle i confess
but one that has been solved no less
a clue i give you as i cry
in marriage does the answere lie
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
in early days of garden life
god created man a wife
from adam’s rib from adam’s side
god gave man his help and bride
quickly adam brought her near
and then announced for her to hear
“from my bone you came to be
you’re of my flesh you’re part of me
and even though it’s me and you
god dosen’t count us as a two
for when a husband takes a wife
the two become a single life”
this is the rule that god had made
and by it was the footing laid
it’s by this law – this legal tower
that the work of christ has power
if you take away this clause
his death no longer has a cause
i tell you truth - i speak no lie
it’s by this law i will not die
now death i see you doubt my speech
but please remain and let me teach
i’ll do the best that i can do
to make this mystery plain to you
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
in time before in days gone by
i truly was a foolish guy
i spoke of god and called him lord
but only to receive reward
as i look back the picture’s clear
i had no love - i had no fear
towards the maker of the sea
rebellion’s all that flowed from me
but then the god of mercy came
and in his kindess called my name
he said “repent and turn around
you’re lost oh man but can be found
it’s time to choose the good and right
and follow me with all your might
make me lord and let me reign
without pursuit of selfish gain”
and just like that i saw my flaw
then turned and made him lord of all
my choice was firm - my choice was sound
no wavering could in me be found
and with this choice god took delight
he danced and sang in angels sight
it really was a sight to see
to think that that was all for me
but though his favor i had gained
adams child i remained
and as a part of adam’s race
my debt to death was still in place
but of my fate god wasn’t blind
he knew that it was on my mind
and so he came to me and spake
the words that would stir hope awake
he said “dear child - to you i give
a way to die - and yet still live”
i ask him how could this be done
and next he took me to his son
i met the son and quickly knew
that loyalty to him was due
he was the king by god’s decree
so unto him i bowed my knee
i pledged my love – i kissed his hand
i said “your wish is my command”
he was the king whom i would serve
and from that vow i would not swerve
and then this king of untold fame
stood me up and spoke my name
he said that he was pleased to see
my heart of love and loyalty
with joyful eyes that did not dim
he said that i was one with him
“through marriage we are now one flesh
the old is gone and all is fresh
all i have i share with you
for is that not what husbands do
so many things i will provide
for you who i now call my bride”
then as he spoke this final word
a mighty change in me occurred
your chains oh death fell to my feet
and all my fears took quick retreat
i found my self in joy arrayed
i knew my debt to you was payed
and that oh death is how it’s true
that this man has escaped from you
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
but here we are at story’s end
and yet you fail to comprehend
so you ask me to explain
how marriage freed me from your chain
to your request i will comply
it’s not easy but i’ll try
more words i craft and engineer
in hope to make this mystery clear
you see oh death – when marriage came
i joined with christ and took his name
now i’m in christ and he’s in me
and here in lies the gospel’s key
for when upon the cross he died
i was there within his side
and as he died – i died too
and therefore paid my debt to you
now had i died upon my own
forever in the grave i’d groan
but that was not the case for me
i died with one who owed no fee
and so the god who loved his son
caused your deed to be undone
he sang the resurection song
and as christ rose – i tagged along
first born as adam’s seed was i
but then with christ i went to die
next i rose and that is when
this child of earth was born again
so here i am alive afresh
but no longer as adam’s flesh
adams son is dead and gone
his sinful ways will not live on
but now i live as god own seed
for is this not what god decreed?
When he raised christ from the dead
thou art my son is what he said
and since the christ and i are one
the words god spoke made me his son
so i can shout – it’s not a lie
a full fledged child of god am i
eternal life is now my claim
it’s carried in my family name
we think of you and have no fear
for you oh death cannot come near
oh death it’s true my flesh will fade
and in the ground i will be laid
but this is not a long term state
it’s just my bed as i awate
some day the to one whom i’m bound
will come to earth with trumpet sound
and to that sound i will arise
to take my part in heavens prize
my flesh of dust will be no more
but god has greater things in store
sown in weakness – raised in power
corruption can no more devour
i’ll join the whole of abrams seed
my brothers who were also freed
and on occasion we will sing
oh death oh death where is your sting?
