not covered in blood

a regal bearing

the countenance of the black man

the Samaritan raising

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

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 lead to

but washed clean, the two of them

made holy, bright white

July 12, 2013

Luke 10:29-37

cover art of the July-August, 2013

Upper Room Devotional

www.devotional.upperroom.org/issues/july-aug2013/cover_art

 “Good Samaritan”

www.art4god.com/html/?go=product&id=gsam

Artist: Stephen Sawyer

(USA, Contemporary)

www.art4god.com

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.