The Prodigal Son - a different perspective

1. 87

   Paragliderposted 12 years ago

   My take on the prodigal son parable, from the point of view of the fatted calf (except that I've made it a fatted pig, just for fun)
   
   The Fatted Porker
   I liked the lad. He always had a smile,
   a whistle on his lips, and used to wait
   and watch us eat. Oh, you can call it swill
   but I'm not proud. For if it comes to that
   I've cracked the windfall, fresher from the moss
   than all your snow-cooled fare. I've savoured shoots
   that daylight never blessed. But let it pass -
   I liked him. He was generous with the oats.
   Not like his brother there, a walking blight
   on man and pig alike, his only care
   is his inheritance. I saw the hate
   spark in his eye. The young one's travelled far
   to find cold comfort from his kin. But still
   they'll come for me. I know which one I'd kill.

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2. 89

   RedElfposted 12 years ago

   Three cheers for the perspicacious pig! Paraglider, you have such a way with words. I hope one day you collect all your wonderful "bon mots" into a book or three -
   
   You never hear a blinking word about his mother, do you? Heaven alone knows how she felt about the whole business...
   
   A Mother's Tears
   I loved my sons, though one I favored more.
   He had his father's eyes, his ready laugh,
   that used to ring 'til work and always work
   took fearsome toll. And so, it came to pass...
   One son who tried to please, and one who left;
   one dark and staid, one brighter than the day;
   one born of love, one born of duty's hest -
   Two sides of parents' coin, two bookends, bound
   with careless love from one, from other, hate
   for ease and easy ways - his Abel's Cain.
   O, Absolom, my son, my heart-come-home!
   A mother's tears shall wash away all stain
   that ever marred your heart, or stung your eye -
   You are safe home, and that's enough for now.

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      earnestshubposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Truly beautiful.

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3. 87

   Paragliderposted 12 years ago

   That's lovely, Elle. You've made me glad I posted mine
   You're right. The mother is never mentioned. But that's patriarchal religion for you!

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   1. 71

      Inotherwordsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I just wanted to thank both of you for sharing your poems.  You really have unique voices!  I just started on Hubpages the other day and haven't found many things inspiring.  This was definitely inspiring

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      1. 87

         Paragliderposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks inotherwords, glad you enjoyed our efforts

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4. 79

   earnestshubposted 12 years ago

   Very nice work Paraglider, now a most enjoyable read.

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   1. 87

      Paragliderposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Earnest

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5. 54

   Shalini Kagalposted 12 years ago

   Absolutely delightful! Loved them both!
   But my sympathy has always been with the older brother.
   
   
   A lazy, loafing gadabout was he
   From dawn till dusk he never worked – not he!
   And worse, when his hardworking brother toiled
   He laughed and sniggered, never did he soil
   His hands, so lily white with lack of work
   His clothes so spotless, ever did he shirk
   The smallest of the many tasks in store
   His mother fumed but she in silence bore
   Her sorrow as her first born to the bone
   Worked himself, without complaint or moan
   Then, when the lazy lout did up and out
   With his share, so undeserved, without a doubt
   A quiet Good Riddance was whispered o’er the farms 
   Till he came back, all spent, into his father’s arms.

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6. 89

   RedElfposted 12 years ago

   Way to go, Shalini! You have a lovely way with pentameter.
   ...and thanks so much David, I find your masterly wordsmithing truly inspiring! Earnest, and Inotherwords, thanks and blessings.

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7. 87

   Paragliderposted 12 years ago

   Hi Shalini - nicely done   Now we've had the calf (ok, pig!), the mother, the older brother. Wonder who's next?

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8. 0

   Emile Rposted 12 years ago

   Wow. You guys really throw the hammer down on the prodigal son. He learned a hard lesson by his greed and selfishness. He was humbled by the unconditional love and forgiveness displayed by his father.
   
   His older brother learned the same lessons.
   
   The father loved them both, equally; and did not sit in judgment of how they used their inheritance. He was there for them when they needed him to be, let them choose their own paths; but made it clear that the  retribution for choosing poorly would not include the loss of his love.
   
   I always thought the prodigal son was more a reflection of humanity than the other son. My heart went out to him for how much fear he must have suffered on his journey home.

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   1. 87

      Paragliderposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Emile - the story is pretty straightforward. We were just having a bit of poetic fun with some of the characters

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         Emile Rposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Ok. I guess everyone's idea of fun is different.

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         1. 87

            Paragliderposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Hope so

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            1. 0

               Emile Rposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Sorry. I just feel for the guy. That would be my luck too. Remembered through posterity for one of my screw ups.

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               1. 87

                  Paragliderposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  Oh, I don't know - at the end of the day, he'd have had more stories to tell his grandkids than his brother would!

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                  1. 0

                     Emile Rposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     I don't know about that. They were goat herders. Weren't they? I've owned goats and, I got to tell you, they are some of my favorite stories. Strange little creatures.

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