NOT IN MANHATTAN.

A MAN THINKS HE SEES CHRIST IN MANHATTAN.

It’s not often in Manhattan
In broad daylight
That you see Christ passing

Along on the sidewalk,
But the African American
Standing outside a store

Is certain it was he
Whom he saw
Go by a few moments before,

Yet why he thought so,
What made him think
It was Christ,

He couldn’t say,
It just came to him
At that moment

Standing there
Watching the crowds
Passing by

On their way to death,
That he’d seen him,
Not dressed in white robes

Or having any halo or such
Just the inner fact,
An inner voice saying,

That’s him,
The Christ,
The Promised One,

Clothed in jeans
And a Jesus Saves tee-shirt,
Bearded as of old

With that fire
In the eyes and heart,
That something special

Passing on by
In Manhattan
New York City,

But no one
Will believe him
Of course, they never do,

Too much smack or booze
Too tired, too little sleep,
They’ll softly say,

Giving him a smile
As they walk away.
 

Author's Note

PHOTO BY ARLEEN HODGE.