A villanelle on the 10th Commandment.
I shall not scheme to get my neighbour’s things
whether servant, house pet, husband, or wife
but urge them to stay and do their duty.
I shan’t tempt their spouse into a fling
or anything else to cause strife.
I shall not scheme to get my neighbour’s things.
Their servants shan’t fill me with envy
and I shan’t offer a higher price
but urge them to stay and do their duty.
Neither his pets will I be stealing,
nor his livestock that aid his life.
I shall not scheme to get my neighbour’s things.
Because God I am worshipping,
I won’t treat his household unwise
but urge them to stay and do their duty.
In all my civic and communal dealings
I vow never to lead my neighbour to strife.
I shall not scheme to get my neighbour’s things
but urge them to stay and do their duty.
The Lutheran Column 