Greater Love

Greater Love I shivered and watched him as the snow fell Frail, tattered clothes, bearded, no shoes, but--smell! I thought--what a contrast--comparing sights, But love was a lesson I'd learn that night! Not from plastic steeples or rhetoric, Philanthropy or emotional trick... I would learn to look in my own mirror For compassion, mercy, empathy--clearer. This complex multiple of nature lives In dying daily to Ego-------Forgives! Then I saw neither black, white, red nor green, But only insolence and heard him scream: "Get away from us! You Freak! Reprobate!" Then with his cane, knocked him down--oh such hate! Top hat and tails perched with pride by the door Assisting the dilatant he adored. Snow was a gossamer curtain all 'round. Vision obscured even steps on the ground. Lights came from nowhere as they crossed the street, Aimed for the dilatant--innocent, sweet. Watching I saw from the shadows immerge Sprinting like 'Coldstream Guard'--out past the curb, That same man, pushing the dilatant fair Out of harms way as he flew in mid-air. Emerging unscathed from the ice and snow: "Who was that man? Tell me! I want to know!" The crowd huddled 'round like a football team Gawking with questions of what they had seen. A donor card was his only ID. No name--just a wish--was all they could see. Donor card cashed in...Science and query... A grave in an obscure cemetery, With small unadorned head-marker amends: "Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." 5/14/2012 deborah burch©