With A Kiss

While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.” At once he came up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?” At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. Matthew 26:47-56 

With A Kiss

We can claim another
bless a sleeping child
open temptation's door
all with a simple kiss.

Intimacy draws near
friendship begets trust
honorable and kind
we are close enough to kiss.

The world turns on love
crumbles with betrayal
weeps for innocents' blood
aches to kiss broken whole.

We are capable of greatness
we can be gross villains
all in the same fragile day
a kiss and a wound together.

God's love is not limited
not only for the innocent
but betrayers and broken
love divine kisses and seals us.