deepundergroundpoetry.com
The First Man in the Fire
Shadrach was in the underground
and of that basement world.
The Pharoah had consigned him,
and so the truth was proved in whim.
The fourth man came and saved all three.
His name and word were like his deed,
a ghost of holiness, of truth that's proved in sin.
But I'm the first man, pale and thin.
Shadrach. Abednego. Meshach.
The first, second, and third. The rack
and Mobius, and flesh, and human sin.
Looking out from flaming tin.
The Pharoah far above and looking in,
and wondering why some men sin.
The Fourth Man far below and looking up,
and wondering why some men sin.
and of that basement world.
The Pharoah had consigned him,
and so the truth was proved in whim.
The fourth man came and saved all three.
His name and word were like his deed,
a ghost of holiness, of truth that's proved in sin.
But I'm the first man, pale and thin.
Shadrach. Abednego. Meshach.
The first, second, and third. The rack
and Mobius, and flesh, and human sin.
Looking out from flaming tin.
The Pharoah far above and looking in,
and wondering why some men sin.
The Fourth Man far below and looking up,
and wondering why some men sin.
Published 2nd Jun 2022
Author's Note
Based on the Bible story from the book of Daniel, chapter 3, presented here in the New International Version:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel%203&version=NIV
I've used "Pharoah" as opposed to "king" (as the character is described in the above link) simply because it scans better, though this is not factually accurate. The historical figure whom the story refers to is Nebuchadnezzar II, King of Babylon. See here for more info:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadrach,_Meshach,_and_Abednego
For more information on scansion, see here:
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/learn/glossary-terms/scansion
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel%203&version=NIV
I've used "Pharoah" as opposed to "king" (as the character is described in the above link) simply because it scans better, though this is not factually accurate. The historical figure whom the story refers to is Nebuchadnezzar II, King of Babylon. See here for more info:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadrach,_Meshach,_and_Abednego
For more information on scansion, see here:
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/learn/glossary-terms/scansion
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
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Commenting Preference:
The author encourages honest critique.
4th Jun 2022 7:36am
LIke that story. I say before others do it wasn't Pharaoh of Egypt who sentenced the three men to the furnace but Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.
4th Jun 2022 4:43pm
