Poem November 2, 1987 Issue

Answering the king

Nancy Hormel Reinert

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

(Daniel 3:16)

There are no careful answers for the king.
When flute, cornet, and harp begin to play,
stand unafraid before the golden thing.

When the instrumental signals ring
across the waiting land, what will you say?
There are no careful answers for the king.

When the ceremonial voices sing
incessantly, insisting you obey,
stand unafraid before the golden thing.

Those who do not bow, the law will bring
to the furnace and ask again. Then silently pray:
there are no careful answers for the king.

Boldly make the choice that has no sting
of sin. Your course of action then is plain:
stand unafraid before the golden thing.

Not even the faintest smell of smoke will cling
to those who trust in Truth and with Truth stay—
who give no careful answers to the king
but stand unafraid before the golden thing.

Nancy Hormel Reinert

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