Searching for Grace

Here is my poetry offering for this week's writing challenge over at Seedlings in Stone:

Searching For Grace

He stands

in bitter cold

this cardboard billboard

in his hands:

Homeless.

Will work for food.

God bless.

Or did it read:

Shame.

Poor choices.

Addiction.

Sorrow?

I feel

angry indignation.

self-righteousness.

even…humility.

avert eyes as I drive by--

Still he stands,

day after day,

season after season.

Why do I

avert my eyes

from the not so beautiful,

when it is

my own shame

that stares back at me

through his eyes?

God bless you,

words uttered

with downcast eyes

as I slip folded bills

into dirty hand.

Then, I look at him

see into his eyes

try to see through his eyes--

see HIM

this real live work of God

And I smile.

And for

just one moment

he sees Jesus

I pull

hand away

and drive off

the smell of stale cigarettes

and unwashed flesh

lingers

I want to wash it away

Instead

I hold fingers

against nose

and softly breathe

the sharp aroma

of sorrow

and poor choices.

And for

just one moment

I see Jesus.

Don’t forget to leave a comment on this post for a chance to win a copy of L.L. Barkat’s lovely book, Stone Crossings. I’ll draw three names from all comments on this post tonight!