These Are My JOTtings, Part #2

Homage to Robert Burns: "Character"

A good ol' wad o' social dancin'
of lowest naive or high-born prancin'.
Good honesty ye pay when glancin',
but when they're hardened,
thee waffles thy good name by chancin',
excused and pardoned.

Faith wad the name o' goodness bein'
within thy parts that no one's seein',
that stands thee strong whilst others fleein'.
Good character is
with neighbors, and thy God agreein'
'til end endurance.

The Pow'r o' God all true men make us,
before that darksome angel take us,
and o'er the bier the fresh dirt rake us,
for we are goners.
Then soon may His great Rapture quake us
to lasting honors.

The men we are inside's important.
The good He gives is always ardent.
The hymns we sing are aye accordant
with truest hopin'.
Escape in Christ that Place so mordant,
no saneness copin'.

O flee the flea in bonnet handsome,
that ithers see not chinkness prancin'
for reputation hath no ransom,
nor returnin'.
Oh, be we by The Savior's Ransom,
never burnin'.

by Jay O’Toole
on July 18th, 2024