I served my king,
and I worshiped my Lord.
I gave solemn counsel,
and let wisdom guide my tongue.
The Lord dwelt within my soul,
and his words within my heart.
My words found favor with my king,
and made enemies of his council.
Their avarice fueled their actions,
and they sought to erase my name.
Through guile and deceit,
the proclamation was written.
Condemning my faith,
and sealing my fate by death.
Their cleverness stayed the king’s hand,
and, I was thrown into the lions’ den,
for my devotion to my Lord.
Within the pit sealed by stone and wax,
the beasts were to devour me,
leaving only bones and sand.
But, the lions did not pounce.
For, my devotion found favor with my Lord,
and an angel came to quell the pride.
From night til morn we lay,
Beast and man, side by side.
My king’s voice called to me,
As the seal was broken, and the stone removed,
“Daniel, were you saved by your God?”
Kept safe among the beasts,
no harm came to me,
and no harm have I done.
I am righteous before my Lord.
~ mj smith (from the Book of Daniel)
nuance 