Poetry

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I said, “I’ll go, but you must come. I need to see your face.”
“Airport at nine.” He whispered to me. “It’s such a hectic place.”
A cancelled flight, we stood alone. He let me down I fear.
I searched through crowd, chaotic pace. He told me he’d be here.

“There are no flights to get you there. Perhaps another day.”
She banged the keys and shook her head, then suddenly a way,
Appeared, it seemed, as if a dream, a change expected fate.
O’Hare, then on to Mexico, to Guatemala late.

All bags amazingly arrived, the shuttle did not run.
Fifteen people, forty bags, in taxis not much fun.
A short nights rest, eggs and juice, a bus ride through the hills,
I prayed again to see your face, to ask you of your will.

Then we arrived and Chaos tried to darken set-up plan.
Somehow struggled sweaty through. We weary, ready stand.
Again on cot I sought your touch, as sleep eluded me.
Arose to joy miraculous, as team embodied see.

From Monday morn throughout the week, they flow through guarded door.
Split lip and crippled, mangled folk, disease and pain abhorred.
We smile, yet cringe at what is seen. As we below facade,
Restrained to wonder “Why not me?” Fear question and answer, God.

No water to shower, but we get by. We’ve learned to walk as one.
The team who left on Sunday morn, a family now become.
I pray each one of them I love, could meet you face to face.
Yet need allows each little time, our gifts we must embrace.

I seek...desire to see your face. Did you not say you’d come?
I sing the songs you’ve given me. The week is nearly done.
Stand quietly at clinic door. Watch surgeon skilled perform.
As chosen share celestial gifts with broken and forlorn.

And suddenly, as if a breath, I’m back upon the plane.
Dead tired, my mind on overload, the faces fill my brain.
A people whose language I can’t speak…new family members met.
I seek your meeting promised, Lord. I pray you didn’t forget.

I fall asleep before I’m home, incredibly I see,
Your face behind each person touched, within each memory.
Your Light, it seems, glows from within the moments and the hearts
Each situation, person, need, your power you impart.

I should have recognized your face…expected that your hand,
Lay just beneath endeavored gift, we offer fellow man.
Forgive me, Christ, for doubt allowed, for truth left unembraced.
You walk with yours, through journey chanced, as fears and trials faced.

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