I prayed, "I was grabbed."

Jesus asked, "Were you nabbed?"

I said, "I was teased."

Jesus asked, "Were you seized?"

I said, "I was stalked."

Jesus asked, "Were you mocked?"

I said, "I had cried."

Jesus asked, "Were you 'tried'?"

I said, "They were cheatin'."

Jesus asked,"Were you beaten?"

I said, "I was stripped."

Jesus asked, "Were you whipped?"

I said, "I was jailed."

Jesus asked, "Were you nailed?"

(pause)

I said, "I sat in dung."

Jesus asked, "Were you hung?"

(pause)

I said, "I was a slave."

Jesus said, "I forgave."

(longer pause)

I said feebly, "I cried and cried..."

Jesus said, "I died."

With heavy heart, I said, "Forgive me."

Jesus said simply, "Follow me."

I repeated, "Forgive me please!"

And Jesus said, "The least of these."

I said, "To the truth, I've been asleep."

So Jesus said, "Come.  Feed my sheep."

Then I said, "I've been awakened."

Jesus added, "...but never forsaken."

I said, "I can see!  Heaven has opened up!"

Jesus said, "You are free.  Take my cup."

I said, "Thank you, thank you, thank you Lord."

And Jesus said, "It is prepared- your great reward."

©2016 louis gander