A Poem of Worldly Sorrow

 **"The Hollow Shudder"**  

*A Poem of Worldly Sorrow*  

This grief is but a shudder—  

a flinch from searing loss,  

the arithmetic of consequence  

that tallies my blood-cost.  

No brokenness before You,  

just terror at the rod:  

*"If I had but concealed it better,  

I might have fooled You, God."*  

*(Genesis 4:13-14 / Hebrews 12:17)*  

I scrape my soul with fingernails,  

yet find no wound beneath—  

only self-love turned inside out,  

disguised as holy grief.  

*(Matthew 27:3-5 / 2 Corinthians 7:10b)*  

The tears like acid polish  

the idol still enthroned:  

*"O spare me not from sin, Lord,  

but from its fruit alone."*  

*(Numbers 14:39-40 / 1 Samuel 15:24-25)*  

No cry for stolen glory,  

no anguish at the nail—  

just Judas’ silver burning  

where my heart should break and wail.  

*(Acts 1:18-19 / Proverbs 14:12)*  

**Scripture Contrasts:**  

- **Cain** (mourned punishment, not sin)  

- **Esau** (wept over birthright, not repentance)  

- **Pharaoh** (feigned sorrow for plagues)  

- **Saul** (regretted consequences, not rebellion)  

- **Judas** (despaired without seeking mercy)