This morning as our high school homeschool day began, my 15 year old son Connor shared this poem that he wrote last night.  Many of you know that he is writing his first novel, and this poem reflects the thoughts of one of the main characters on his deathbed.  After you read it, you will understand why I silently praised God for His ongoing, transformative power at work in shaping our childrens’ minds and hearts.

The Lament

My lament is not for love or trifles
But for death of friends and family,
The theft of life
And crimes unmentionable.
That is why I lament.

For crimes to exist there must be evil.
For evil to exist there must be man.
For man to answer evil,
He must have fallen.
That is why I lament.

For the fallen nature of man.

The fallen man cannot differentiate
Between good and evil nor know what is right and wrong.
He will act in personal gain for himself.
He will lie and persuade and kill, all on a whim.
That is why I lament.

For the fallen nature of man.

But One will see.  One will know.
One shall act.  One must act.

The lies shall disperse,
False victories topple
And persuasions lie still.
The fallen man shall disappear in the air,
As shall the One.

For to defeat evil,
One must be sacrificed for others.
This is why I sing,
For the glory of redemption.

Publication of your homeschool child’s composition, whether on the refrigerator, in a decorated binder, on a blog, is an important incentive for ensuring quality content and presentation.  If you want an official place to publish his or her poems, short stories, or book reviews, you can pay a minimal membership fee to join KidPub, and publish unlimited homeschool compositions.

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As you know, an authentic classical Christian home education often involves imitation of classical writers.  I have a book to recommend for your high school homeschooler that will accomplish two purposes:  (1)  exposure to classic Christian themes as well as (2) exposure to excerpts from classic Christian poetry like John Milton’s “Paradise Lost,” John Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress,” and William Blake’s “The Lamb.”  This book, The One Year Book of Poetry, includes 365 devotional readings based on classic Christian verse.   Each day’s poem is accompanied by a Scripture passage and an interpretation to illuminate the poet’s theme.  In addition to reading daily during his or her quiet time, your high school teen could imitate some of these classic poems.  Or try reading aloud a poem together daily then discussing the theme.  You’ll be blessed by the content and artistic delivery.