Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Bad Samaritan

car door swung open
revealing her thin frame
abruptly crossing two lanes of traffic
with no care of being struck dead

he had already killed her spirit

abandoned on the side of the road
like a bitch in heat
oversized t-shirt
pants she never chose

watching his battered pickup truck
swerve away
from her battered self

oh God,
her face contorted in drawn gaping mouth
screaming eyes, wet chest heaving
sorrow, disbelief

the taxi mother
late for work
driving too fast on Bad Samaritan Ave.
leaving a trail of prayer and poetry
in my dust
like handing a tissue
to a drowning soul
and telling them to wipe their nose

I recognized You
the moment
I drove away

my agenda dressed in
belt of fear
shield of self protection
vest of worry
shoes of hesitation
hiding under a hat of what ifs
wielding a sword of excuses
slashing my way through
coulda shoulda woulda guilt

anguish
angst-wish
I could go back
and gather Your Child
in my arms to calm her
drying tears that were
never meant to be

unwilling to expose My Child
to the evils of the world
when I could have
exposed
both of them
to
You

Patricia Spreng

Matthew 25: 44-45 ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’ “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’

 
Joining up with dVerse poets on their open link night.  Come and see for yourself… the wonderful words of poets.

 

13 comments:

  1. Whoa! Some vivid and alive imagery spun through your words. I've been stuck on this Bad Samaritan Ave once or twice...can leave one a very rude wake upcall indeed. Enjoyed the trip, and the cab fare back!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yeah think everyone has had to deal with a bad samaritan at least once, nice capture of the experience.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Amazing Pat! I am not a big fan of poetry and this one brought tears to my eyes. I get a magazine called Presence. It is for spiritual directors and they publish poems in it. Please submit this to them. I can really see growth in your writing and I can see it bringing forth great awareness of His Presence around you. Love you!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh, this one hits right in the heart... anguished and heartfelt. I like these lines
    "my agenda dressed in
    belt of fear
    shield of self protection
    vest of worry
    shoes of hesitation
    hiding under a hat of what ifs"

    I can identity with being dressed in these same fears, instead of with truth, peace... and wishing to go back. Touching and full of emotion!

    ReplyDelete
  5. you put us right there...and i feel that angst...far too many that we miss and could have touched....nice write...

    ReplyDelete
  6. i agree with bri - so often we run away because our own fear and memories overwhelm us..touching

    ReplyDelete
  7. i like how you weave poems from the bible messages... a meaningful post to ponder and sink into our hearts ~

    ReplyDelete
  8. So sad about her not choosing her own pants, that part really got to me. Sounds like a prisoner.

    This one will stay with me.

    ReplyDelete
  9. "like handing a tissue
    to a drowning soul
    and telling them to wipe their nose " Love this line...the whole piece is powerful!

    ReplyDelete
  10. A very heartfelt tale. I think a little trim here and there would tighten it up and make for a stronger piece. These lines in particular speak volumes.

    like handing a tissue
    to a drowning soul
    and telling them to wipe their nose

    ReplyDelete
  11. Greetings, Glad to Meet!

    We are starting a poetry community at a Garden Setting, our week 1 writing theme is

    “Adam and Eve” ,

    Please check out our site and prepare to participate,
    The Poetry Picnic is open Sunday, 8pm, American Central Time!
    Hope to see you share your delicious poetry with us.
    Bless your weekend!
    xoxox


    signed in to follow your blog, welcome following us back!

    ReplyDelete

A penny for your thoughts ...