Chastise You With Scorpions
By Richard Moss MD
November 13 2024
Our cruel masters ignite the passions,
They rub fleshy hands with pleasure and delight.
How best to deceive, they ponder with malice,
Their appetites reach into the night.
Speak gently to us and relieve our yoke,
Asked the people to the king.
But like Rehoboam you did not listen and said,
I will chastise you with scorpions, not with a ring.
Be a servant unto the people, this day,
Return us to Judah, and our holy city.
Hold your venom that wounds,
Conceal your sharp thorns and take pity.
Anoint the chosen, to lead you through the valley,
Return swiftly before nightfall to your temple.
The moon has not risen, it is dusk,
Remember the prophets, before God you must tremble.
The innocents do not recall,
A medley descends that will not sing.
Even as their burden draws blood,
He said, I will chastise you with scorpions, not with a ring.
Why follow the cruelty of the pyramid?
We seek honey, not calves of gold.
Where is the copper earth you promised?
You betray us with song, it is cold.
Our leaders play cruel melodies,
Their clemencies blind us to dark innocence.
Your oaths are vows you have broken,
Stolen chambers know your arrogance.
Trumpets are not fountains,
The despised sleep and cannot drink.
Your false promises singe our lips,
He said, I will chastise you with scorpions, not with a ring.
Clouds gather as vengeful tribes,
War summons the eulogy.
How to answer the inaudible prayers?
In the temples there are dreams of mutiny.
Faithless prophets have spread rumors of war,
The laws are as dust, trod over by a king.
Lies are a currency, wine does not soothe,
We have fallen by your deceit, winter is not spring.
Echoes of a citadel, sound amidst the ruin,
Appetites of mercy soar without a wing.
Where is our Solomon to judge our fate?
Or Young David who slayed the giant with a sling?
Whispers of glory, sustain those who sleep,
I will chastise you, he said, with scorpions, not with a ring.
1Kings 12:14