Jonah's Peril

by Milton Lopez Delgado
(Covington Township Pennsylvania)

I WAS TOLD TO GO TO NINEVEH,
AND DENOUNCE THEIR WICKED WAYS,
INSTEAD I BOARDED A SHIP IN JOPPA TOWN,
CHOSE TO DISOBEY.

I FELL ASLEEP IN THE INNER HOLD,
AS A MIGHTY STORM ENSUED,
SAILORS DUMPED CARGO OVER BOARD,
THEY ASKED: "WHAT DID YOU DO?"

I WAS THROWN INTO DEEP WATERS
IN THE MIDDLE OF A RAGING SEA.
A GREAT BIG FISH ENGULFED ME,
FROM ITS BELLY I MADE MY PLEA.

I FLED THE PRESENCE OF MY MAKER,
TO FIND A BETTER WAY.
HE ORDERED THE WAVES AND BILLOWS,
BECAUSE I HAD GONE ASTRAY.

THE MEN ROWED HARD TO REACH THE SHORE,
CRIED OUT: "LET US BE SPARED!"
BUT THE WINDS AND STORM CONTINUED,
THEY WERE FRIGHTED AND IN DESPAIR.

I WAS THROWN INTO DEEP WATERS
IN THE MIDDLE OF A RAGING SEA.
A GREAT BIG FISH ENGULFED ME,
FROM ITS BELLY I MADE MY PLEA.

I WAS THE CAUSE OF GOD'S ANGER,
AND WAS CAST INTO THE SEA.
THE FURY OF THE STORM CALMED SUDDENLY,
THE SAILORS WERE THEN SET FREE.


MILTON L. DELGADO
AUGUST 31, 2011
Based on The Book Of Jonah
Chapters 1 & 2