The Man Born Blind

The Man Born Blind.

   Fresh from the anointing
   he cracked his eyes across
   the pool of Siloam.

   A kaleidoscope of color crashed
   his temples like a silent thunder
   burst
   cascading through his marrow
   with an avalanche of joy.

   The dappled daylight dancing
   through the leafy cypress trees
   revealed his stunning features
   shining on the shaken surface
   with traces of Eden awe
   written in the creases of his cheeks.

   So close to Yahweh's pristine touch
   no time to tarry paradise
   he leaped and bolted back his path
   skipping through the city streets
   his fiery eyes ablaze like lightning
   shocking vendors in the market
   parting family, friend and foe
   smashing theologians' equilibrium
   till he fell at the feet of his mystic
   Healer, swimming in a sea of light
   at home at last in new skin.

--Jerome L. McElroy

Notre Dame, Ind.

COPYRIGHT 2008 National Catholic Reporter
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning