This is what the Lord Almighty said: “Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.
Zechariah 7:9-10 NIV
I meander through the goods
Kitchen utensils, quilts, books, and old-fashioned toys.
A search for child-like wonder,
My gaze rests on a coil tunnel
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
A blanket is folded and patted, too careful
Nervous glances quickly disconnect with mine
Agitated peacock almost collides with my escape.
We side-step dance through the uncomfortable
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
A slinky is thrust like a baton
Familiar eyes question—hesitate, then take.
‘Twas the pattern set long ago
Dreams collide with despair
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
Fling wide the door
Thirsty stems sway and blooms droop
The light changes . . . yellow cautions, “S.L.O.W. the HURRY!”
Angry tires burn the corner. Breaks screech. And horns blare!
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
Winter within threatens to restrict
I fight to feel. Smell. See. Breathe.
I fist my want and hug my hurt
Sip the last of the morn’s dark roast
Frantic, I focus on the ONE beside me.
Gnarled fingers pill his plaid hem
Empty, dark rooms tell their tale
Twins tarry on heaven’s bench
A union of the missing
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
Unbeknownst, the elder gifts courage
I focus on his worry—the blank stare that pulls the knots
Unsteady feet set in heavy platform shoes
Powerless and forgotten outsiders
Breathe. One. Two. Three.
Who will you speak for?
Put a face to the need
Seek the lonely exile, widow, and orphan
Different. Desperate. Hurt. Hungry. Weary.
The closed door signals the good-bye.
I let go and stand . . . step forward.
Mercy’s hand welcomes the distraught ONE
Kind and compassionate and gracious.
He sees through the smeared window and my defense
Stacked bricks, barbed-wire, and pretty-painted pink.
Balcony view to the dirt and gravel, and the shaded sidewalk
Pools of concern offer humble hope and beauty
Picture frames of pastels, fertile pastures, and moonlit nights
And Heaven’s rain echoes the heartfelt cries as a Lily opens
Closes. Breathe. One. Two. Three.
Dare I confront the gap?
River’s edge and broken bridge
Detour signs and cement barricades
Power and prestige – legalism and hate
Bystander’s dismissal, “I am not the victim!”
I recoil. Shrink. Stumble.
I cannot tarry this burden alone
I need a warrior and an advocate.
A tottering fence desires a pillar with pure intentions
Love without conditions, help without condemnation.
A gentle man acknowledges my grief
He questions with interest and quiet deliberation
And I cannot see beyond his magnetic pull
He and his wife’s work beckon me to stay
Our dilly-dally overcomes the tick-tock.
I met a stranger with Jesus’ eyes
And I am undone
Lord, let me be as he. . . as You
Take my fear and doubt, soften my heart
Give me eyes to see the vacant rooms.
I remember and re-member as I break the bread and drink the cup of Easter-tide.
You must be logged in to post a comment.