Who Knew the Brain

Who Knew the Brain

(“So reach out and welcome one another to God’s glory. Jesus did it; now you do it!” Romans 15:7 [The Message])

The moment we walked out of the room the silence
crashed like glass broken;
and if we were to repeat what we did not see
the memory would cover the day with smoke
and shards imbedded upon the reverie.

Is there a chance it was not all a daydream,
that the words we remember never found our ears?
Could it be a manmade catastrophe manufactured
by decades observed through goblets of sour wine?

All the same there was a time when I would swear
upon every fact the faith I followed was more elastic
than hollow-minded guesswork and post-modern uncertainties.

One way, it is true; the only Way, still old, still new;
a shepherd for sicklings, a savior for wanderings,
a homestead for threadbare, friend to share the old haunts
and new hunts of discovery. And one way to bear
each burden across uneven shoulders.

I sat in rows each Sunday, 70 facing one well-placed expositor,
jotted notes, memorized quotes and blazingly defended the faith;
while the siding was replaced dutifully once the paint was out of style.

One meeting, who knew the brain could break,
a new arrival spewed verbal bombs between question
about the bible; who knew the brain could break,
and some sought to find her answer, but few sought
her name or number.

And, the moment we walked out of silence,
the glass shattered as a leader sputtered, “We don’t have room
for
retards
here.”

Oh Christ, O joy of fallen nature, break our brains well, please,
until we swell with empathy; the byproduct of faith lived
beautifully.