I saw God rob the poor box
take a beggar out to eat
two burgers and a coffee
a loaves and fishes feast.
I saw God in the alley
drape his coat around a bum
watched him walking slowly
on dark streets of lonely numb
saw Him in the playground
share his crackers with a friend.
I saw God on the battlefield
console an orphaned child
saw Him wipe her tears away
replace them with His own.
I saw Him on the subway
rise and let the tired sit.
Saw Him in the canned goods aisle
reach items on high shelves
saw the gratitude in those
who can’t do it for themselves.
I asked God what was going on
said “Hey, God, whassup!”
He smiled and said: “ just watching
my Angels growing up.”
Father Of Lights...
thousands...........
heard You preach
Your love and........
they got so hungry.
Your neverending cherish~~~~
and eternal compassion~~~~~
I don't merit it, loving Father~~~
You ignite hearts
just five loaves.......
and two fish............
Your blessing..........
amazed crowd........
fountain of many....
loaves and fishes...
Your very generous
Heart of Hearts......
such a living miracle
multiplied!~~~~~~
.
Thank you for your still laboring pains.
Thanks for the amnesia of suffering
the bedpan and the bible,
the sunny window
that ran with a watery blood
wherever the flying ducks
rushed toward your gun.
Fingertips tingle, the daily callus is softening,
becoming bearable
the way a fox forgets its trap shattered paw.
Thanks for the moonlight dispensed
in cloud-covered dreams.
The applauding grateful
must have partaken of your loaves and fishes
where hooked worms still dangle
bereft of hungry lips.
We are the tenderest of prey again,
the catch we have all been looking for.
What more can be said when gratitude runs away
with its desires still wriggling
and fleshy.
Thank you;
for your mastering love
hath consumed the apple in our mouths
and we are served up
in wide-eyed wonder once more.
I saw God rob the poor box
take a beggar out to eat
two burgers and a coffee
a loaves and fishes feast.
I saw God in the alley
drape his coat around a bum
watched him walking slowly
on dark streets of lonely numb
saw Him in the playground
share his crackers with a friend.
I saw God on the battlefield
console an orphaned child
saw Him wipe her tears away
replace them with His own.
I saw Him on the subway
rise and let the tired sit.
Saw Him in the canned goods aisle
reach items on high shelves
saw the gratitude in those
who can’t do it for themselves.
I asked God what was going on
said “Hey, God, whassup!”
He smiled and said: “ just watching
my Angels growing up.”
John G. Lawless
4/14/2016
Premiered at The Break Horse Inn, Imperial Beach, CA – 12/9/1996
ACT 1
Tubal Cain’s Bedtime Chant
Haircut
Ballad of an Honest Man
Ingratitudes
Loaves and Fishes
Glory of the Word
ACT 2
It Was I
The Consequence of WE
Rachel’s Kitchen
Bedouin Eyes
Buthaynah Adara
Egyptian Cotton
ACT 3
Baby Blues
Play Date
Herself
Sky Full of Rain
Pretty Little Engine
Forest Lullaby
Wee Small Hours
When I’m Just a Memory
The road to freedom is dark and long.
To go the distance, I’ll need a song;
Something easy and strong,
Like an old-time Shaker hymn,
Simple Gifts or Willow Tree.
Let the spirit carry me.
The early morning is cold and damp.
I light a fire to warm my camp
And get smoke in my eyes;
That’s what memories will do.
Best not think of them as tears.
They’re just salty souvenirs.
Want country bacon and scrambled eggs,
But all I taste are hunger’s dregs.
Being this far from home
There’s no comfort in the truth.
Really need to hop a freight.
Guess I’d better learn to wait.
The station windows are boarded shut.
The switch is broken, the line’s been cut.
There’s a storm blowing in
And I’m running out of time.
Don’t expect one coming through.
From a pilgrim’s point of view any miracle will do.
To blind ones and those cursed with leprosy -
the outcast souls who knew not man's compassion -
he touched and healed, that they might feel and see
his power from above, in humble fashion.
Five thousand hungry souls on a hillside -
his followers produced some loaves and fishes.
Then, giving thanks, this meal he multiplied
and fully satisfied the people's wishes.
Unto the lonely one, demon-possessed,
who had been exiled to some nearby caves,
Jesus bestowed his healing, and so blessed
the man, to demonstrate his power that saves.
To those who'd lost a loved one, in their grief
he brought them comfort with his words, "Fear not!"
With mercy, and to strengthen their belief,
he gave new life, and joy to those distraught.
To me, he is the very definition
of kindness - our example of true giving.
May I, like him, make it my earthly mission
to live its arc; may kindness mark my living.
I Saw God Rob the Poor Box
I saw God rob the poor box
take a beggar out to eat
two burgers and a coffee
a loaves and fishes feast.
I saw God in the alley
drape his coat around a bum
watched him walking slowly
on dark streets of lonely numb
saw Him in the playground
share his crackers with a friend.
I saw God on the battlefield
console an orphaned child
saw Him wipe her tears away
replace them with His own.
I saw Him on the subway
rise and let the tired sit.
Saw Him in the canned goods aisle
reach items on high shelves
saw the gratitude in those
who can’t do it for themselves.
I asked God what was going on
said “Hey, God, whassup!”
He smiled and said: “ just watching
my Angels growing up.”
John G. Lawless
4/14/2016
ONE PAIR OF HANDS
"Make it your ambition...to work with your hands". 1 Thessalonians 4:11
My dad was a coal miner,
Worked with his hands all day.
As evening came, he took time,
To fold those hands and pray.
A pick and shovel were the tools,
16 tons for his pay.
Calloused hands gave this service,
It is the miner's way.
A family to feed, clothe and guide,
A home where we gathered with love.
That's how it is in Windber, PA,
With guidance from above.
He taught me how to prune a tree,
To mow the lawn and such.
Landscaping and trim the hedge,
It really was not much.
Your hands, he would say,
Are guided by God's Son.
He healed the sick, raised the dead,
Christ is the special one.
He raised His hands in prayer,
Loaves and fishes He did serve.
Broke bread and served the wine,
More than we deserve.
These hands nailed to a tree,
An innocent man condemned.
They bled as He asked His Father,
Please bring it to an end.
One day we will be with Him,
In glorious heaven lands.
Please find a place for your servant,
Look at these working hands.
RAYMOND V. MORGAN
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