Remember how they brought her to the temple
Where he taught, and how they presented her
Asking if she should be stoned? Remember how he,
Quickly, silently, wrote something in the dust
("Accuser," "accused," perhaps—rebuking lack
Of moral courage, self-righteousness, a score
Of other sins)? Which of us today
Commits adultery? Dilutes the pure Christ sense
Of perfect man (ourselves or others)? Will we
Stone ourselves? Or others? Or will we write
All sins upon the ground, and then stand free—
Stay free—rising in sinless sonship, chastened
And always loved, thanking God for His
Forgiveness of accuser and accused?
