This sonnet portrays the dramatic conversion of Saul, a fierce persecutor of Christians, into Paul, a devoted apostle of Christ, highlighting heaven’s joy at his redemption. It begins with Saul’s zealous march to Damascus, intent on destruction, only to be halted by a blinding light and Christ’s voice confronting his persecution. The poem captures his transformation as pride falls away, replaced by humility and a new purpose under divine grace. The contrast between the fearful righteous and the rejoicing angels underscores the unexpected triumph of mercy. Inspired by Acts 9:3-6 (NIV): “As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied,” the sonnet celebrates a sinner’s heart reborn into a legacy of faith.

A zealot strides, with breath of fire and sword,
To bind the faithful, crush their fragile plea,
Yet on the road, a blinding voice is roared,
“Who persecutes, now falls to bow to Me.”
The scales of pride, like armor, cloak his sight,
Till heaven’s beam dissolves his darkened will,
A trembling soul, once fierce, now bathed in light,
Surrenders all, his purpose to fulfill.
The righteous quake, their fears in whispers rise,
Yet angels sing, their anthem rends the air,
For one who scorned, now sees with opened eyes,
A vessel new, to bear Christ’s love and care.
From Saul to Paul, his chains of hate unwind,
In grace reborn, a saint for all mankind.