I stood before my enemy

I stood before my enemy;

he struck me, stinging

my face. I turned

to the left to offer

my other cheek. He raised

his hand, and then

stopped. I saw the fear

in his eyes. He saw

the love in mine,

a reflected mercy.

      (From Luke 6:27-36)

Photograph by George Hodan via Public Domain Pictures. Used with permission.