Madagascar Christmas

I The elders speak of a special healer In their times of trouble Their country was overrun by "others" And women and children felt frustrations Men could not vent upon Occupiers In their slavery to others, cruelty ruled And one widow, or outcast wife, suffered More than others. she had a disease Not leprosy, yet cast out: Don't touch me! She heard of the special healer, saw Hope Waited day after day to find a way to him II The healer had no qualms touching & praying With, and for, the castaway, wrapped in blood She followed the healer to the end, gratitude Is easy if you are an exile, the worst "other" Many were healed, men were taught duties Of real family men, forgiven but instructed As best teachers practice: message from High On Only this Woman came to the Healers tomb Because elites and blessed people are hard They lose Ubuntu, humanity & civilization easily But celebrate stories from Madagascar, Mali, Maya -- Because they do not have a stake in strange places If the healer is called Jesus, some people turn purple