A Leper healed

 I am numb

My flesh falls off in shreds,

no longer part of the body I feel

Body that has betrayed me, 

left to be eaten by disease

It wasn't always like this

I used to be strong

To work

Laugh

Love

I used to feel a hand in mine.

Those yesteryear sensations play tricks on me

for now I am shunned, driven away, hidden

with rotten flesh stench I cannot smell

I cannot feel

I still feel longing 

my beating heart

longs to be made whole

longs to be seen beyond this sagging shell of a frame

I see you in the distance

The one named the Christ

approaching me in this wasteland

Hope swells

your frame comes into view

A body fully alive

A fully God man

"Lord"-- dare I ask?  I must ask-- I still have a will

"If you are willing" Oh please be willing along with me, my will is all that I have left

"You can heal me and make me clean"

        dare I ask for this?

Your hand reaches out to me

A fully enfleshed hand, God in skin, human skin touches me

"I am willing" you speak

Voice and volition together

heart that wills my good and hands that reach to touch my absolute brokenness

"Be healed!"

An ember in my chest bursts into flame, 

a fire kindled in my heart

Love has touched me,

I close my eyes and catch my breath as this heat surges through every fiber

Hands burn with the holy flames of your life giving love

Your touch Jesus,

Your smile at me

Source of life has re-made mine