the jaded sky

in the silent moment between sin and glory,when there really is no difference….in the pause between thunder and lightning,when mountains are oceans,and oceans are acorns.in the infinity between breaths,and the illusion between death and life.in the cardboard box that holds lifetimes,in the universe beneath tiny wings.in snowflakes, and tiny crumbs of starlight,on the wet lips…

and struck anotherman down…the hand that stolethe money to feedhis family that was hungry….the hand that wrote angry words,threw a stone through the window.the hand that shut the door,leaving the stranger outside…the hand that toredown all that it had built,feeling the rage of alone….the hand that pulled the trigger,pushed the button,rang the register…..the hand that…

the rush of wind,that startles the curtains.the slap of wet bodies,the sigh of the candle.low words cooed,without need for definition.i feel the tears of the sinner,hear them hit the floor.the prayers, and confessions,the guilt, and the need.the heavy breathing of redemption,and the silence that heals…yes, even the silencehas its own sound!i hear the bones of…

black Jesus, brown Jesus,Asian Jesus, atheist Jesus,female Jesus, poor Jesus,jobless Jesus, prison Jesus,homeless Jesus, illegal immigrant Jesus?dog Jesus, cat Jesus,baby in a dumpster Jesus,addict Jesus, old Jesus?gay Jesus, union Jesus,hungry Jesus, foreign Jesus?bumming a cup of coffee Jesus?brother Jesus, sister Jesus?just bombed Jesus,food stamp Jesus?how many bodies? how many crosses?you tell me!

and walks into darknessas the fire grows dim.the tree cut in its prime,and left to rot through the seasons…the small boat unmanned,is lost on the seas.the knife that cut granitelies on the mantle in shadow,the fingerprints on the handletoo long unnamed…the door swung open,but no one enters…the sound of the gnawingswallows up the night!

kneeling before the fire,exchanging spitwith the shadows.surrounded by ghosts,familiar, and real.laying aside all else,reaching deep within,kicking the ashesfrom my boots.flesh unto flesh….daring to live…..