My Dilemma! Poem by Dr John Celes

You show me a cup of much-flavored wine,
That could inebriate senses divine,
You know that I never drink or I sip;
I ask Thee O God, ” Why tempt my poor lip? ”

You show me a diamond priceless I think,
When I cannot afford, crystals to wink;
The dazzling diamond does tempt me truly;
But how can it give me things heavenly?

You show me a damsel of great beauty;
Irresistible but I’ve my duty;
When I’m well-married, living with my wife,
Why show me ways to an adulterous life?

You show me a fountain spraying lovely;
A treat to gaze and drink from it surely;
The poor that I see can’t afford a drink;
They cannot bathe often and tend to stink.

You show me a tiger-cub to be pet;
What dangers lurk ahead, I can well bet;
A country dog’s enough to guard my house;
A Tiger-cub could make all matters worse.

You show me a palace I’ve never seen,
In a far-off country I’ve never been;
When I need only a plot in my town,
Why do you show me a castle to own?

You gave me talents many more than one;
You show me also the moon, stars and sun;
Help me to do my best in any field,
To temptations on earth, I’ll never yield.

Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-9-2000