Olie appears at stop lights,
insane intersections
throughout the city,

drivers’ knuckles curled
over tops of steering wheels,
mad moments, forced pause,

doors locked and windows shut
against black Olie, the “O” pronounced
with a sigh, “Ahhhh,” slow exhalation

of breath–mercy, peace, love
proclaimed from his ragged
cardboard sign:

JESUS SAVES, Olie’s gift, his calling
extended for all, no handout
expected in return.

Some days he waits in line
for a hot meal and sweet tea
at City Light Community Ministries,

respite from the streets.
He cautions me of dry clouds
blown about by winds

bringing no rain; barren trees
uprooted in winter, twice dead;
foaming sea waves

capped with shame; shooting stars–
fallen angels bound for
an eternity of Darkness.¹

“Bob,” he says, “Jesus loves you.
Be not afraid. Be completely
humble and gentle,

be patient, bearing
with one another in love.”²
Amen, Olie. May it be.

Sources:

¹ “The Letter of Jude”: The Jerusalem Bible, Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1966.

² Ephesians 4: 2, The Jerusalem Bible, Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1966.