Wishing
I wish to see Jesus:
in the panhandler on Main Street-
but the unkempt hair,
the stained, tattered clothes,
the odours fit for a barnyard
cloud my eyes;
I wish to hear Jesus:
in the politicians
making decisions I cannot support;
in the evangelist
mouthing platitudes to the pain-full;
in the talk-show callers
spewing hateful bile;
but their words
clog my ears;
I wish to meet Jesus:
in the tattooed skateboarder
riding the rails at the school;
in the hip-hopper
jamming at the bus stop;
in the goths hanging outside
the video arcade,
but too quickly I cross the street
looking for him in folk
just like me.
Jesus:
why would you wish
to see
to hear
to meet
me?
Hebrews 13: 1-3
Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 3 Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body