Before Her Door

I stood before her door not knowing why,

And yet I bothered its tranquility,

Knocking on it, I couldn’t pass it by,

Bold yet unsure if she would welcome me,

Into her world, into her own household,

Or if she was not there to let me in.

I looked inward, shivering in the cold,

Self-conscious of the color of my skin.

Neighbors regarded me with suspicion,

As I prepared for hatred but not joy,

Nor tears welling at first recognition,

Nor love that bitterness could not destroy,

Nor flicker of thanks for an answered prayer,

To Jesus, the reason for being kind,

When life alone was no reason to care,

And one could not put cruelty behind.