When I ran from you, my pain increased
So covered with sores, I feared your touch would cause me to bleed
You tired to comfort me, but I was angry
I knew my past you could not undo
My disappointments would remain
You promised me protection, and I was uncovered
You promised me provision, and I daily went into more debt
You promised me light, and I had not seen the sun for months
You promised me security, and I was abandoned
You promised me friendship, and I was left all alone
I was raped
I was beaten
I was robbed
I was shunned
In horror my friends turned their backs and ran
You promised me joy, and I have not stopped crying….
Then, quietly, a sound of weeping in the distance I heard
A sound of crying pierced the darkness…I drew near
A man’s painful moans shook my soul
Words not spoken, but understood
A man praying, crying out without a voice:
“How I long to gather you into my arms, but you would not.”
He looked up with eyes so red
A fire burning from within
I saw his hands…they were bloody and torn
He wanted to embrace me, but his dirty hands I knew would hurt
I feared his pain would inflame my own
More than I could bear, I froze
But then, something like scales fell from eyes…I knew it was you
In an instant I felt the fire of your eyes as love piercing my shattered heart
I wanted that love, desperately I fell on my knees
With great effort I crept towards you
In your lap my head I did lay
Even if it killed me…I no longer cared
I needed your love…it became my source of life
Ever so gently you reached out to hold me
Your blood mingled with my blood
Your salty tears washed over my battered body and I cried out in pain
I wanted to pull away…with labored breath I wailed, “Enough!”
But, alas, my strength was gone
You stroked my head and whispered in my ear:
“Peace, be still, my child! Embrace my pain…through my wounds you will be healed.”