I Saw Evil Today

I saw evil today, in old and wrinkled bodies

They were panting but still breathing

Still willing to give it voice

Now at the end of life, I don’t understand the need for allegiance

Still talking in search of youthful ears to live on in

Still talking despite all that has been said that they can no longer hear

Instead repeating the stories of the way things were and should have remained

I saw evil today, in hobbling, bent bodies with canes in hand

Still walking, still moving

No longer able to hurry or to push aside

No longer able to block entry or to hurl at anyone anything more than an insult

Still walking to sit in places where good should be

Sitting just to prevent the residence of the new

Just to reduce the capacity for good

Saving seats for prejudice and stereotypes

I saw evil today, in tired and worn down bodies

Who, though they hated my body, not so secretly wished for it

To be young again only to do it all over again to me

Still, no regrets

Though diseased and crippled bodies, bitter and battered bodies

This hatred gives them strength

They are good, evident in the skin on their bodies

Though they will not walk beside or talk to me because of the social coloring of mine

Though we are one body in Christ

The Raceless Gospel