Come to the Fete

    I have already written one Daniel poem this week. Haven't I suffered enough? But as I was doing my Bible study this evening, minding my own business, I was struck by the lunacy of a king compelling his subjects to worship him--or die. Was the word genuine ever on Nebuchadnezzar's vocabulary list? That explains the tone of this poem--more like a carnival barker than a royal invitation.

 

Come to the Fete

 

Come all to the fete on the Babylon plains!

Come to see, bend the knee, in our great sovereign's name!

 

See the statue he built at its majestic height.

Note how our kingdom's gold reflects glittering light.

 

Meet the high, mighty men from our whole empire 'round.

When the songs start to rise, they'll fall flat on the ground.

 

Come worship our king, with his impressive name.

He can't answer your prayers, but he sure can proclaim.

 

By the way, if you don't feel the need to bow low,

then down into the fiery furnace you'll go!

 

If you think that true reverence cannot be compelled, 

you do not know King Nebuchadnezzar too well. 

 

So go call one and all from vast Babylon's shores

to come to the King's fete, either his fate--or yours!

 

10/11/25