When did we become the lepers?

You say God may not cure but always heals.
Where, then, is the healing
for our arrogance?
While millions turn out empty pockets,
scrabbling for change
we jet to Mexico on company time;
paddling in place,
beckon the pool boy,
who stands at the ready,
holding silver trays of mint mojitos.

Perhaps he will retrieve
that diamond earring you carelessly dropped in the water;
deliver it to the elderly parents your cleaning lady supports,
living in poverty on a nearby hillside;
surely its redemption
could feed them for a year.

Who but the lepers wear lipstick and earrings
to swim in the River Jordan?




* * *