Where do I go?

Where do I go?                                                                               

Where do I go to get my innocence back?

O fresh-cheeked, joyous, clear-eyed boy!

Shall I break the news to you? 

I sold you out – ages ago, for shining trifles. 

 

Innocence strewn and squandered,

compliance wheedled and coaxed –

secret indulgences, anonymous compromises,

a whisper and a hope and all for love;

all for love but, I lacked the courage.

Beaten up, pasted over, trampled under,

I betrayed you and failed you and here you are again,

forgiving me, begging me to come clean.

I have no promises to make. It will take courage;

all the courage I never had –

the countless moments of truth

that came and went and found me wanting.

Where do I go to find that courage?

To get my innocence back? 

Here, said my Beloved. 

Come here.  Come to Me.

O child of God, your pretenses worn threadbare,

let your humble, homely truth shine through.