Ten Words

 "The Ten Words"

He drew me out before he gave me law, 
No other god may stand before his face, 
No carved and hollow image fills his place, 
His Name the only word that holds my awe.

Remember, so the ancient word has said, 
The seventh silence calls me to be still, 
The stranger and the servant rest their fill, 
The world turns on by someone else's thread.

I give the weight of honor where it's due, 
No hand of mine shall take what is not mine, 
No borrowed love shall cross the covenant line, 
Yet in my wanting, every law breaks through.

Yet you who see the wanting, see me still,
Known to the bone, and held against my will.

Content based upon Exodus chapters 19-20; 24; 31-3

AI Summary by NotebookLM

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This poetic reflection explores the foundational commandments given to humanity, emphasizing a sacred relationship between a creator and the faithful. The verses reinterpret ancient laws as a guide for ethical living, focusing on exclusive devotion, the necessity of sabbath rest, and the integrity of human interactions. While the narrator strives to uphold these moral boundaries, the text acknowledges a deep internal struggle with personal desire and human frailty. Ultimately, the work portrays a deity who deeply understands the individual, offering a sense of being fully known despite one’s shortcomings. It transforms rigid legal codes into a meditative covenant defined by both divine authority and intimate grace.