February 15, 2015

OFF  TO  THE  SIDE 

I prefer to be - off to the side - 

in the wings - a prompter - 

whispering out forgotten lines - 

in the play on stage.

I prefer to be - off to the side - 

the garbage dump - hidden 

by trees or hills or billboards - 

on the ugly edge of the city. 

I prefer to be off to the side - 

In the church - the confession box - 

along the edge wall of the church - 

it too - also being  - a garbage dump. 

I prefer to be off to the side - 

the person you turn to when 

you sin or hurt yourself or others -

and you feel all alone and an “Uh oh!”

I prefer to be the Lamb of God

who takes away the sins of

the world, the one who brings

mercy and forgiveness for all.

In reality, I prefer to be the Christ -

the one - in the midst of the mess -

hanging on the tree of the cross -

on top of the hill - for all in need.

© Andy Costello, Reflections by the Bay, 2015