Poultice

Poultice                                                                                             

I heard You, Silent One,

halfway around the world –

amazed to find my heart

had sprouted an ear.

Once a God-fearing man, God put on Your face. 

Now where is my fear?

I turned immediately toward home;

love, the poultice my soul required.

The best wine and the fatted calf 

for a wastrel’s return.  Who could believe it?

Those terrible scales of Justice – 

suddenly swung into balance

by the stone weight

of Your compassion.

‘It’s My Love that has drawn you here,’  You whisper. 

Tears stain the coverlet on Your tomb.

O child of God, your Beloved has declared Himself 

God in human form.  Let the chips fall where they may.


                          (from A Jewel in the Dust)