Homeless

Jesus said, “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.’ He said, ‘Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house—for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.’ Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’ He said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” Luke 16:19-31

Homeless

At our gates and on our steps
huddled against the cold and wind
sleeping in doorways and over grates
the keys to heaven rest for a time.

We hurry by and look away
fearing something we do not know
we might pity but often scorn
we have so much and still shake in fear.

We do not need  to worry about food
waking and dreaming they ache to be fed
we rush and bustle, phones to our ears
they wait and hope for a little share.

Come unto me all you that are heavy laden
the Savoir and Victim says to the world
we foolishly think we are over burdened
stepping over those who hear his voice.

As the winter winds blow their cold
as we shop and dine and feed our whims
may we be given eyes to see this day
the Savoir and Victim begging on our streets.