Writing poetry makes visible the invisible that dwells inside each of us. It taps into emotions, a deeper understanding, an inner strength. Poems can enhance our understanding of the stories of the Bible.
So, we are looking for poems from you–poems written in response to a story from All the Stories of the Bible by John Walsh.
NOTE: We are also interested in Story Songs and Story Dramas. The criteria here for Story Poems also apply for Songs and Dramas.
Criteria for poems
- It must be your original poem.
- It must honor the Scripture in accuracy and insight.
- Please cite the story by Number from All the Stories of the Bible that inspired your poem.
Sources for All the Stories of the Bible:
This page includes a few sample poems As well as possible topics as thought-starters. Try your hand at some of these ideas and go from there. Do not let these few samples limit you.
TIP: Watch the Writing Biblical Poetry workshop with Phyllis Hostmeyer (recorded Thursday, October 1). Video preview here. Workshop slides, handouts, and video recording here.
Submit your poems to info@bibletelling.com and our panel will review them for posting. We want to share poems that inspire, clarify, and support. See the complete library of Bible Stories and Story Poems here.
Examples of Poems based on All the Stories of the Bible
Story # 7 – Call of Abraham
Summary of Genesis 12: 1-20 using a simple rhyme scheme for every other line.
God said, “Go.” So Abram, Sarai, and Lot left Haran.
They built altars along the way but faced a terrible drought.
In Egypt, Abram had the beautiful Sarai tell lies.
But when she moved to Pharaoh’s palace, sickness came about.
Pharaoh screamed, “Why have you lied and done this to me?
You should have told me that Saria was your wife.
Now, take her and your belongings and leave.”
So Abram and his family left Egypt in the midst of this strife.
Character Study
Suggested topics for a Character Study Poem
- Ruth – Why did you stay with Naomi? (Book of Ruth)
- Abraham – Why did you obey God when asked to sacrifice Isaac? (Genesis 22)
- Eve – Why did you eat the forbidden fruit? (Genesis 3)
- Deborah – Why did you agree to go to battle with Barak? (Judges 4-5)
- Samson – Why did you destroy the Philistine temple? (Judges 16)
- Daniel – Why did you refuse to obey the law of Darius? (Daniel 6)
Why Did You Do It?
Story # 52 Balaam’s Donkey – Numbers 22: 1-35
Donkey, why did you act so stubborn?
I ran into the field to protect my master.
The fresh air of morning cooled my coat.
Then a flash of fire from a raised sword pierced the quiet.
An angel stood I the path blocking my progress.
I ran and scooted and fell out of fear.
My master made empty promises to the Lord,
But I would try once more to keep him safe.
I’m a simple animal doing my job.
I know nothing other than to serve.
Focus Poem
Look closely at one part of a character’s body
Suggested topics for the Focus Poem:
- Focus on Jael’s hands as she allows Sisera to come into her tent and then kills him. (Judges 4-5)
- Focus on Samson’s hair after he has been blinded and thrown into prison to work the millstone. (Judges 16)
- Focus on Ruth’s hands as she gathers grain. (Book of Ruth)
- Focus on David’s eyes when Samuel is anointing him. (1 Samuel 16)
- Focus on King Jeroboam’s hand when he points at the Prophet from Judah. (1 Kings 13)
- Focus on the lips of Judas on the night he betrays Jesus. (Mark 14)
- Focus on the cloak of Bartimaeus before / after his sight is restored. (Mark 10:46-52)
The Hands of Cain
Story # 4 – Cain and Abel – Genesis 4:8-14
Dirt lodges under the nails of his powerful hands.
Fingers that beckoned to his brother, now curl around a stone.
Greedy, the black soil swallows innocent blood.
“Cain, when your hands till the soil, will you plant in his blood?”
Lifting one hand, he blocks the sun and squints as he answers,
“Planting season is long past; soon I’ll harvest the results of my work.”
Circular Poem
The poem completes a circle with the ending mirroring the opening. Also notice how the each line opens with the words that close the line before.
Suggested Stories for a circular poem
- The Woman at the Well (John 4:1-42)
- Raising Lazarus (John 11)
- Triumphal Entry / Cleansing the Temple (Mark 11:1-19)
Storm on Galilee
Story # 194 – Calming Two Storms – Luke 8:22-39
What I love about storms
Is the power of the crashing waves.
What I hate about waves
Is the fear in me as they swamped the boat.
What I love about the boat
Is seeing my Lord and Savior sleeping.
What I hate about my Savior sleeping
Is that I feared He would not save me from death.
What I love about death
Is that it has no victory over me.
What I hate about me
Is that moment when I give in to doubt.
What I love about doubt
Is that it is the beginning of my wisdom.
What I hate about wisdom
Is that the path to it is filled with storms and turmoil.
What I love about turmoil
Is the strength and confidence I gain battling those storms.
What I hate about storms
Is the crashing power of the waves.
I AM Poem
Every line starts with an “I” statement
Suggestions – any character in Scripture would be a good source of an I am poem.
A Woman Healed
Story # 195 – Twelve Years – Luke 8: 42 – 48
I am a woman – frail and sick
I want healing, strength, peace.
I have tried every remedy and medicine the doctors prescribed, but I only grow weaker.
I see massive crowds pressing around this man they call Jesus.
I wonder if I can slip through the crowds unnoticed.
I am a woman determined to find healing.
I hope to touch the fringe of his robe without anyone noticing me.
I understand that if people see me, I could be stoned for coming near the men.
I dream of a being part of a community rather than being the one they shun.
I am a woman who believes.
I touch the fringe of his clothes.
I feel immediate change.
I hear the Master ask, “Who touched me?”
I fear that his followers will punish me when they learn that I touched his robe.
I am a woman: frightened but hopeful.
I cry as I kneel before the Master.
I hear the Master call me daughter as he says, “Your faith has healed you.”
I feel a total healing of my ravaged body.
I whisper, “Thank you, my Master.”
I am a woman – healed.