Babe's Skin

Babe's Skin


All I could do

When others departed

Stop and consider

What just had been done

Look at my skin

Once ravaged and pitted

Look at my fingers

(I’d lost more than one)



“Leper” they called me

And fled from my presence

“Leper” the stigma

Of sad weeping shell

Lonely the life

Deemed God’s hot displeasure

Friendless and homeless

My own private hell



Jesus had seen us

All ten in our sad plight

Sent to the priests

To declare all things healed

Cleansed just like babes

From a dreadful contagion

Nine still in darkness

To one Grace revealed



How could I not thank

The calm Galilean

Sharing a kindness

That opened my soul

Joyful in transport

I cling to His next words:

“Happy for you friend

Now every whit whole.”


Note: A new acquaintance said a remarkable thing about this healing. All ten were instructed to go show themselves and their cleansed skin to the priest. But their first resort was only to visit the religionists. The real Priest, the one having God's ear, and a truly dedicated standing to plead mercy, was Jesus. Only one man came to Him with a heart brimming with thanksgiving. No other place for absolution than at the feet of the gentle Galilean. It is no surprise that Jesus was much more interested in inner cleansing with eternal consequence.