Faith Promise, Tim Knipp 5/18/14

Bruised and broken, 
       the invisible woman
         steps from the slim shadow.
     Her head bowed
               before the sun's assault,
      she trudges to the 
               silent well.
She sees his toes first:
            calloused and dust-cloaked;
                her eyes flicker to his face
        and dart away
in anticipation of scorn.
            Instead of spit
                    and spite
                         (her usual fare),
             this stranger sees her 
                        and
                 instead of shrinking back,
                     offers water
           and sweet hope.
                    
The invitation is scripted
             in images she knows,
      scented with goodness,
          beauty 
              and real love -
        not the cheap imitation she 
                 has always fallen for.
Best of all, he sees her
            for what she is and 
                   who she is
            and does not turn away.

Energized with wonder,
          she sheds her ostracism
                   like an unnecessary cloak
          and races through the streets,
   sprinkling joy
             until others are wakened
        and stumble into the light
to see for themselves.