Jonah's Peril

by Milton Lopez Delgado
(Moscow Pennsylvania)

JONAH'S PERIL

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: "PLEASE 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.