Smithfield Market, early in the day
the crowd parts around him
and the people fall away
mothers cover childs' ears for fear of what he'll say
He says:
"I'm naked because we all are
and God sees through this mess.
Your identity's a farce
before birth and after death
you're not a banker or a lawyer
or a well-to-do man
You're just another beggar
with outstretched hands
and you could fill them up with beauty
you could fill them up with joy
you could fill them up when times are rough
with the glory of the
Lord."
"But you wrap yourselves in linens
and you wrap yourselves in silks
and you wrap yourselves in blood and hell and guilt."
______________________
And he didn't choose to come here.
If he made a choice at all,
it was to listen, and when he heard it,
heed the call.
And he's been given legs to stand on
He's been given hearts to open
He's been given gifts and burdens plenty,
knowing that he's broken.
So let him be naked.
Don't avert your eyes.
Take it as a sign that it's time to drop disguises.
Stop hiding behind silence.
Stop hiding behind noise.
Stop hiding your own violence.
Stop hiding from that still, small voice.