somehow, a regal bearing,
the countenance of the black man
holding the victim
wearing his finest
the Samaritan rising
lifting this stranger
the victim twice over
beaten, robbed
but worse, forsaken
judged not worthy
of the others’ mercy
left there to die
to fend for himself
yet the image different
the victim in white
the black man, Samaritan
lifting him up, in his arms,
as Mary held Jesus,
as if he is searching
for the others to help him
wondering why this man
was left in the dust
not covered in blood
as the scripture would imagine
but washed clean, the two of them
made holy, bright white
Edited July 13, 2013
“not covered in blood –
v2”
July 12, 2013
“not covered in blood”
Luke 10:29-37
cover art of the July-August,
2013
Upper Room Devotional
“Good Samaritan”
Artist: Stephen Sawyer
(USA, Contemporary)
Interpreter: Mona
Bagasao-Cave
with Christ’s and her
question, “who is my neighbor?”
seen July 12, 2013
&
email sent to artist
Stephen Sawyer 7/12/13:
“I just got a large print copy of The Upper
Room for July and August with your painting as the cover art. I am working on
poems inspired by it and wondered if you would be willing to answer a couple of
questions about it. Did you read Mona Bagasao-Cave's interpretation? Is it
consistent with what you wanted to convey?
Also, I noticed that the painting showed both the men clothed
and that no blood was shown. Was that intentional and, if so, why did you show
the victim clothed?
Also, I feel that the victim looks about the age of Jesus and
very much like several images of Christ. Was that intentional as well?
It is drawing me to answer Mona's question as if the victim is
Jesus and Jesus is my neighbor, much like the sheep and goats judgment in
Matthew 25:31-46. She asked us to put ourselves into the image but I see
myself, as one of the others, who might have been too busy to stop.
Finally, there is a softness about the victim, which made me
think of a gay man I know, who often wore that type of shirt. Could you have
been including that quality to the victim?
Lots of questions I know, but a wonderful painting to generate
such. Thank you. Ray Foss, Poetry Where You Live, www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com”.
All
of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004,
2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved.
Contact me at Ray
Foss for usage. See all 23,710+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry
Where You Live.
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