Returned

based on Luke 17:11-19 I raise my voice while bowing in shame Cloaked, hiding my face, crying, Unclean! Soiled, bearing the untouchable name. Not alive, yet not dead, lost in-between. Mercy heard us, then sent us away For the priest to declare, clean or defiled? No sooner we’re healed; we rush to obey Be rid of our leprosy, no longer exiled.

But Rabbi, forgive, I did not go but returned To know what mercy moved you to heal A Samaritan and leper, defiled yet not spurned What holy compassion does your cloak conceal? At your feet, I give all, that I might know and learn The One I do not dirty, who gives what I cannot earn.

© Randy Edwards 2016 artwork: unknown #poetry #sonnet #christianity #gospelofluke