I’m a native Babylonian
Born with blood from others like me
A strong Babylonian mother who clothed and fed
Cultured by my media, a shaved disciple before a glowing screen
I breath in unison, initiated into the cult of this land
My heart dreams in Babylonian.
Not sure what to think when others
Further along than I
Declare their proud independence
“I am in this world, but not of it, a stranger in a strange land!”
Sipping Starbucks and glancing at their Seiko.
I still unbuckle my discolored jeans
They quietly pile on the cold tile floor around my bare ankles
I sit on a white Babylonian throne
Relieving myself from the burdens of waste
Thin paper wipes the excess, fragrant soap and warm water combine to clean
A daily reminder of where I’m from.
I can’t invade this land
A missionary zealot with appropriate passion
I’m one of them and this land is already mine
I’m changed, yes, I am newly alive
A clean heart fixed to a renewing mind.
But I know my stripes
I know my noise and my quietness
I have hope for where I go
I walk newly now
But as a Babylonian with love
Among my people.
Jan 6, 2017
Jan 6, 2017 at 7:39 AM UTC
I’m a native Babylonian
Born with blood from others like me
A strong Babylonian mother who clothed and fed
Cultured by my media, a shaved disciple before a glowing screen
I breath in unison, initiated into the cult of this land
My heart dreams in Babylonian.
Not sure what to think when others
Further along than I
Declare their proud independence
“I am in this world, but not of it, a stranger in a strange land!”
Sipping Starbucks and glancing at their Seiko.
I still unbuckle my discolored jeans
They quietly pile on the cold tile floor around my bare ankles
I sit on a white Babylonian throne
Relieving myself from the burdens of waste
Thin paper wipes the excess, fragrant soap and warm water combine to clean
A daily reminder of where I’m from.
I can’t invade this land
A missionary zealot with appropriate passion
I’m one of them and this land is already mine
I’m changed, yes, I am newly alive
A clean heart fixed to a renewing mind.
But I know my stripes
I know my noise and my quietness
I have hope for where I go
I walk newly now
But as a Babylonian with love
Among my people.
I spent many years trying to understand a Christian faith. At the time, there was a lot of discussion about "being a missionary" to your own land. "Engaging those around you" as if they were . . . something else.
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