A stranger

After John 1:9-18

I saw him first

walking down the main street

of town, a stranger at high noon,

not seen before so no one

recognized him and yet

he knew the town

the streets the houses

the buildings, smiling

in his recognition.

He knew each of us by name,

by position or its absence

by reputation or renown,

He knew us all.

He knew us so well

in fact our first response

was fear, then fear and

discomfort that came before

the rest, doors slammed,

faces averted, backs turned,

and he smiled as if

reality met expectation.

Photograph by Richard Revel via Public Domain Pictures. Used with permission.