A villanelle on the 9th Commandment, with inspiration from Proverbs 14:30.
I shall not covet my neighbour’s home
but help him in his keeping it,
lest greed become my throne.
What reason have I to vainly groan
when God is my mighty fortress?
I shall not covet my neighbour’s home.
This is a command from God’s holy tome,
so to my God I shall submit
lest greed become my throne.
For envy rots to the bone
with intentions counterfeit.
I shall not covet my neighbour’s home.
Let not envy in my heart roam,
O God, to whom I submit,
lest greed become my throne.
Let Your holy will be known;
teach me to be content.
I shall not covet my neighbour’s home
lest greed become my throne.
The Lutheran Column 