Donald Trump has sent in recent days a series of panicky tweets. July 31: “Ebola patient will be brought to the U.S. in a few days … KEEP THEM OUT OF HERE!” Aug. 1: “Stop the EBOLA patients from entering the U.S.” Later on Aug. 1: “The U.S. cannot allow EBOLA infected people back. People that go to far away places to help out are great—but must suffer the consequences!”

In the tradition of early British and American journalists who composed news poems that were printed rapidly and sold on streets for a penny, John Piper yesterday composed a news poem inspired positively by the Samaritan’s Purse workers and negatively by Donald Trump. Here’s its first publication. —Marvin Olasky

Ebola Summer 2014

Today a thousand dead. And more To die. A common ache, like flu, Then nausea, a fever-soar, A hopeless clinic interview: “There’s nothing we can do.”

The bleeding has no bias. These: A child, a chief, a friend, a nurse, Liberian, and Leonese, From Guinea, Texas, taste the curse— And kindness, from the Purse.

Samaritans, six thousand miles From home and care, subdue their fears, And wonder if a sneeze defiles, Or if a healthy fluid clears The curse. Perhaps their tears.

But now two treasured ones, struck down, Contagious still with death—and love— Fly back to us, our joy, our crown, A touch of grace, a gentle dove, Yet through a plastic glove.

While in our land we see today Another virus spreading, dumped, More deadly, in the soul. They say, “Why bring them home?” Though you be stumped, This grace will not be trumped.

John Piper August 3, 2014