Luke in Limericks!
Introduction
Luke in Limericks! provides a condensed version of the Biblical Book of Luke, the third part of the four Gospels, written by myself, a poet. It is a companion study guide, yet no substitute for Bible reading. Using modern language and a sense of humor when appropriate has brought this fresh view of the Gospel. The stanzas are not verse by verse—some of them represent several verses because of poetry’s strictures—but they stimulate the reader to look up the actual Biblical references.
Limericks, as you may well know, start with a line of eight syllables, followed by another line of eight. Then come two lines of five syllables each, then another line of eight syllables. The five syllabled-lines rhyme, as do the eight-syllabled.
For example, this is Luke 18: 18-25:
“How can I get eternal life?”
Asked a rich man. “For you, much strife,”
Said Jesus. “Good?
God only should
Be called that. You’ll need to leave your wife,
Possessions, all.” The rich man blanched.
“Easier on a camel ranch
For one beast to get
Through a needle’s eye, yet
Your love of stuff you cannot stanch.”
Some help the reader to understand confusing passages, such as 19:11-17, the parable of the ruler who left three slaves in charge of some of his funds, which can be confusing. Modern words I’ve used can further convey the meaning (“cooler;” “subscribe”).
Luke 19: 11-26
“Here’s a story: went a ruler
Far away to get more, pooler
Of his wealth—he gave
Cash three slaves to save
Then asked them how they’d done—cooler?
Well, the first made lots—rich man said,
‘You’ll have ten cities to be led.’
The next earned less.
‘You’re mayor, I guess.’
The last slave feared his lord was dead
To him—‘You call me strict, yet meet
None of my needs—really, I greet
Not you, my worker—
You’re no tear jerker.
Give the money to him more sweet.’
The third slave’s money he had kept,
Because his lord was austere—crept
Behind the lines to
Make cash, and to sue.
At chance to withhold the slave leapt.
‘“Thanks’’ for keeping my cash out of
Circulation—yet I you shove.
If I’m so bad, why
Didn’t you get sly
Usury from the bank? No dove
Of peace here. Take away his cash’
He told the other slaves. ‘The stash
Of the man who made
Most deserves a save—
From he who hath least, take all—smash!’
And to these words we may ascribe
The meaning that’s in God’s men’s tribe:
The one who can most
Righteously boast
They use God’s gifts gets trust—subscribe!”
I actually remember some of my verses better than the Biblical originals, as they stick in my head because they rhyme and have meter. For example, here’s 12:13-21:
“Man, take heed of covetousness.
Meaning’s not from that you possess.
Don’t baby your soul:
Laziness takes its toll.
Be rich toward God, toward the world less.”
and another favorite, 12:22-32:
“As God clothes grasses, and feeds birds,
Worry not—He cares for the herds.
You cannot make tall
Your height. Forget all
Needs, don’t doubt, for He knows your words!”
I feel that the overarching message of Luke comes through in my poetry, and that I respect the Bible even as I reinterpret it. Take this classic verse, 12:6-7:
“How priceless is a human one?
Sparrows are loved by God and Son.
But every hair
On person there
Is numbered; your value is won!”
and this, 12:10:
“Who speaks a word against the Son
Will be forgiven—it is done.
Yet you will be toast
To the Holy Ghost—
Won’t dismiss your blasphemes, not one!”
I think that I have been able to create these verses because of my varied background—while raised psuedo-Christian, I did not grow up with a close relationship to the Bible (even though my mother learned to read by studying it; it was the only book in her house because of faith and poverty!). But Unitarian Universalism, my childhood religion, taught me that spirituality can be found in many different places. I studied anthropology and learned about lots of peoples with varied ways of living and worshipping. Yet I wanted to learn the Gospel message and I had to study hard to do these limericks. Using the King James Bible version made the experience enjoyable and challenging at the same time. I hope they please and enlighten you, and give you as much delight as they give me! This has been just the introduction; contact me if you’d like to read the whole book.