Dirty, unclean, plagued, alone, holding horrid secrets, 
haggard, hounded, shunned and drowning, hopeless, in regret. 

Cast outside the ancient gates, breathing seems a tragedy - 
barren, banned, infirm, forlorn, trapped in wretched malady. 

Reports of a new teacher sweep like blazes through our town.
trickling down into our slum; possibilities abound.

Healing lepers and the blind, raising those who once lay dead -
maybe this Messiah cares; jumbled thoughts race through my head.

Never flushing out the stains - always trying to get clean,
swiftly scrubbing, changing clothes, I’m polluted, never free.

Crying, frantic, anxious I quicken pace on cobblestone – 
darting from their prying eyes, terrified of being stoned.

I’m shuffling, sprinting, straining just to reach the rabbi’s robe, 
undaunted and courageous, my heart holds onto hope. 

Jesus steps into my view - throngs are throbbing - how I fear them!
Tingling, surging, questioning - through the dust, my hand meets hem. 

Recognized and singled out; shame invades my haunted breast.
I admit that I’m the one. What calamity comes next?

“I’ve no wish to bother you. Master, please forgive my sin.”
His voice seals my holey faith and radiates compassion.

I now embrace community. Could it be? My scourge is gone!
All my visions, far off dreams, God the Son shines bright upon.

With Emmanuel, anything is possible.