Did anybody notice
the light in his eye
the love on his face
when they stoned him—
this gallant man Stephen?
Or did they just see
the mud on his robe,
the blood on his brow?
Did somebody notice
that in his agony
he spoke not of pain
nor of treachery
but of forgiveness?
"Lord," he cried,
"lay not this sin to their charge."
That selfless, Christly spirit never died
and never will.
Stephen had known that
his Master's ascension
outshone crucifixion—
nails could not hold
nor death enfold
"the light of the world,"
the unquenchable light.
Yes, Stephen knew this.
He knew
the Christ message
would reach them sooner
through forgiveness.
Did we notice?
