SOLOMON'S REFORM

Solomon tried to do as the Lord said.
He fed the poor and helped the blind;
put aside his favorite women;
tried to be kind.

The Lord blessed his works.
Vines grew heavy with grapes.
The people grew to love him
and he felt afraid.

"Solomon, what is wrong?"
"Lord, who am I?"
"I don't know."

And Solomon left his palace
and wandered to Jericho.

In the gate a beggar sat
fondling his stump.
Solomon sat beside him,
in the dust by a pump.

"Who am I?" he demanded.
The beggar stared.

And Solomon felt as desperate
as Saul at Endor's cave.

He tore his hair and smeared
his raiment with camel dung;
and the Lord took pity on him.

The Lord came down in thunder
banging bolts left and right
where Solomon lay crying
beneath the heavy desert night.

"Have you not learned yet?" God said.
"You belong in Jerusalem."

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Last modified: 9:08 PM 12/19/2001