Who Do You Say I Am

What a question, what a test
putting it on the line, with him right there
in your face, after the miracles, the lessons
wanting a mighty savior, a king to rule
overthrow the yoke, the oppression of the age
the force of Rome, over the land of his ancestors
the promised land, of the chosen people
First, who do they say I am
then the pivotal question, the true test
of the rock, “who do you say I am?”
Oh, what a response, a prescience,
a certainty not found in other lines
other books, other verses
The Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed One
(depending on the translation)
A moment of faith wrapped in a simple
phrase, a statement of belief
in Him, his calling, from God;
but timid still, holding back
ready for rebuke, in stark terms
“Get behind me Satan”
A stumbling block for his Messiah
keeping him from the destiny
the path he would walk
sharing the burden, the new yoke
after a slap to the face

9/16/06 20:34
Mark 8:27-38


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,730+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.