Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Ten Lepers" is a poem by Katharine Tynan that explores the story of Jesus healing ten lepers, as told in the Gospel of Luke. This poem was first published in her collection "The Flower of Peace" in 1918.

The poem is written from the perspective of one of the lepers, who expresses his desire to be healed and his gratitude towards Jesus for his miraculous act of compassion.

The poem begins with the speaker acknowledging his own physical and social state, as a leper who is considered an outcast and shunned by society. The use of the color white in the poem is significant, as it symbolizes the condition of the leper's skin and the shame that he carries with him.

The speaker then addresses Jesus, pleading with him to heal him of his leprosy and to make him clean. The language used in this section of the poem is direct and emotive, conveying the speaker's desperation and desire for healing.

The poem then shifts to a tone of gratitude, as the speaker reflects on the gratitude and praise shown by one of the ten lepers who was healed by Jesus. The speaker expresses his own desire to be like this leper, praising Jesus and showing gratitude for his miraculous act of compassion.

The final stanza of the poem expresses the speaker's commitment to never forget Jesus and his healing power, even if it means returning to his previous state of being unclean. This section of the poem emphasizes the transformative power of Jesus' healing, and the speaker's desire to remain close to him even in times of suffering.

Overall, "Ten Lepers" is a moving and powerful poem that explores the themes of suffering, healing, and gratitude. Through Tynan's skillful use of language and imagery, the poem captures the physical and emotional pain of the lepers, while also celebrating the transformative power of Jesus' love and compassion. The poem serves as a reminder of the importance of compassion and empathy towards those who are suffering, and of the power of faith to heal even the most desperate of situations.

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