. . . but such as I have give I thee."
(Acts 3:6)
There might have been
a breath's pause then.
A pause in which, perhaps,
a millisecond of disappointment
clutched at the crippled beggar
expecting the pious almsgift.
After all, the two men
had looked so compassionately
on him while saying
"Look on us."
The next millisecond would
make all the difference.
No shrug
no turning away.
Was there instead the quick return
to the steadying
expectation of good?
Maybe even the wonder:
What can these men
have to give me?
And so the gift of healing came.
"In the name of
Jesus Christ of Nazareth
rise up and walk."
And the lame man arose
—leaped—
in praise
not of men but
of God
from whom all healing comes!
