In a former life I had the opportunity to teach literature for a short time. While I readily admit that I am far from an authority, I will also admit to a love for classic literature and poetry. With David, Moses, and our Lord, I am in good company as a poet although, of course, somewhat inferior to them in my quality of writing!

Years ago I gave my students an assignment to write a Shakespearean sonnet, a specific kind of poem comprising exactly fourteen lines. For those of you who are real nerds, you’ll remember that each line is to be written in iambic pentameter (5 iambic feet per line), and that the rhyme scheme for the sonnet is to be in the “ABABCDCDEFEFGG” format. Along with my students, I gave it a whirl. Because the sonnet deals with the crucifixion, I thought this would be an appropriate time to share it with you.

 

“Before Thy Death”

Before Thy death a tree would also die,

Be cut and taken from the forest glen

To serve the evil purposes that lie

Well hidden in the hearts of sinful men. 

 

Before Thy death a tree its leaves had lost

When hewn down from the pleasant place it grew.

The shame of losing beauty was a cost

The pain of which You more distinctly knew.

   

Before Thy death a tree was stripped of all

It had to give. Degraded utterly,

A piece of wood it was, until Your call

To save our race transformed the worthless tree.

 

Upon that tree of death You bore our sins,

And in that death, ’tis true, new life begins!

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