A few months ago, my church did a series on the 10 Commandments, and for some reason, I thought it would be fun to set myself the challenge of writing 10 sonnets for each one. At the time, I was also going through a series on the Sermon on the Mount with the youth, and I was struck by some of the parallels of language and theme between Old and New Testament, particularly how Jesus expanded our understanding of the 10 Commandments. It seems we are forever going up to the mountains to hear the Word of God (the banner photo was taken at 14,115 feet at the top of Pikes Peak last summer). It took what feels like ages, and I learned that rhyming can be annoying, but I finally wrote all 10! I don’t love all of them and couldn’t judge whether or not they’re actually good sonnets, but sometimes in creativity you just have to finish the project, so here it is:
I.
Thou shalt have no other gods before me
This the first, this my covenant vow
With it an invitation to be free
And these do’s and do not’s can show you how
But in fear disguised as pride, you judged against
Bowing to another, you thought you bought
Love and crowns, selling your soul. Now unfenced
And forgetful, waging a war ill-wrought
The One versus beast, you’ve already lost
The cup never yours to drink, so I did
Prime Mover moved by prayers, I paid the cost
Treasured one, your life in my hands is hid
Let go of your wide-eyed plurality
Turn to me wholly, source of purity
II.
Thou shalt not make idols or images
Of power beyond knowing or holding
If in symbol a mind envisages
A new god contained in human moulding
The creator becomes enslaved in worship
Unsaved by money, things, or devices
And lost in material membership
Finding no such thing as harmless vices
Look not to your own hands for salvation
But to bloody hands spread wide, pierced by nails
We’ll see the world’s final abdication
In light of God’s jealous love, everything pales
Would-be idolater, image divine
Indwells from the moment he called you ‘Mine’
III.
Thou shalt not take the Lord God’s name in vain
You mortal couldn’t seize it if you tried
Its not for use in the public domain
Yet you drop it around, honor denied
Using it as a fabricated brand
To curse or bless, get-out-of-jail-free card
But I AM. Too real to understand
Yet gifted and revealed to you to guard
All mercy and compassion richly bears
In me, co-inheritor, light-keeper
Once you see no other power compares
Calling upon it won’t make it cheaper
Know me not by magic incantation
Hear my deep love in Word’s incarnation
IV.
Remember my Sabbath, and keep it whole
Pause your unending drone, you worker bee
Trust me in your full repose to console
Not only for the day did I decree
It was made for you, ever-producing
People who don’t believe I could do more
Counter-intuitively reducing
Clock-in time. Can’t you see what you’re made for?
The wood between the worlds invites you
So linger amidst the trees, dance, play, shout
Time is ever present, enjoy the view
The gift for those who pressed on despite doubt
Nothing is wasted, not even nothing
Look to the horizon, rest is coming
V.
Child, honor thy father and thy mother
Love them for loving you with discipline
The family you’ve built with one another
Will tell your storied past if you listen
Remember their sacrifices unseen
From sleepless nights spent soothing childhood fears
To riding the ups and downs of a teen
Imperfect love carried you through the years
Though generations have passed on their pain
Forgive all you can, be healed of the past
Sins of the father need not be your chain
For the love of our Father is steadfast
All who come child-like are precious in his sight
Living their given name, his joy and delight
VI.
Thou shalt not murder, or let anger rule
Even resentful thoughts count as the deed
In your heart you killed the one you called fool
Hatred grows quickly when planted as seed
Violence done in secret cuts from within
More deadly than weapons of stone or knife
Are dividing words that injure to win
The one who destroys the peace takes a life
Rather, turn the cheek, see what could begin
When you at last surrender the self-war
Let down the shield wall, reach out and embrace
The friend who was an enemy before
For your life was purchased with grace upon grace
For you the lamb went silent to slaughter
And death was defeated on the altar
VII.
Love, thou shalt not commit adultery
Was not I, not Eros, your first lover?
But you fell to Cupid’s bow utterly
Shamefully shadowed under cover
Painted scarlet letter burns on your breast
Searching in your songs and poems, until
I found you in a brothel dispossessed
Though unfaithful you’ve been, I will fulfill
Hosea’s promise to his shining bride
At last unveiled, adorned in white, she waits
Til we all have faces we cannot hide
What was destroyed by lust, love recreates
By the beautifying gaze of the rose
Sealed in fidelity, love’s laughter grows
VIII.
Thou shalt not steal what does not belong to thee
What you have not earned or been freely gifted
Everything comes with a cost, nothing’s free
Though thieves find purses easily lifted
Rob a man blind, blind justice delivers
To each his due, despite system-cheating
Reward goes to the generous givers
Refusing to love a world competing
For scraps that divide the rich and the poor
Those ruled by the insatiable god Greed
Give up all they have, always wanting more
Til the only thing left to own is need
Let go of possessions and be possessed
Poor in spirit by the kingdom are blessed
IX.
Thou shalt not bear thy neighbor false, nor seek
To slander, deceive, or curse another
Tall tales, little whites, betray thou art weak
Projecting personas cost you a brother
Rewrite your past in riddles, but danger:
From fear one cannot wise counsel derive
Those oft-spinning their web lose their wager
Let it unwind, my child, come hear your shrive
Remember your name, remember you’re mine
To thine own self be true, only if you
Remove your plank, see reality shine
Be swayed by the power of love, let it woo
Away from the father of lies, back to light
Illumination brings all things to right
X.
Thou shalt not covet what’s not thine, Steward
Even the wanting, lusting, I despise
If your wandering gaze leads you wayward
You’re better off gouging out your own eyes
Winter, spring, and summer of discontent
Endlessly tightens its noose, and we swing
Between have and have not and supplement
But the promise is yours for the asking
Lilies are clothed and birds eat without fields
Your Father knows and gives with abandon
Come and see what enoughness your trusting yields
Keep your eyes forward, come open-handed
The kingdom is given to the righteous
Who long for eternal and turn from dust
If you’re interested in the sermon series, it’s all online on the St Aldate’s Youtube. I was also heavily inspired by Joy Davidman’s (wife of CS Lewis) Smoke on the Mountain.
Hopeful Wanderer 