the stranger (Luke 24:13-35)

to the woman
      who had no more
         tears to shed
      after crying night
      after night after night,
   and to her husband
      who had no more
         words to offer
      that might be hopeful,
a stranger
          (or three?)
  came with a
          promise;

to a fellow
         on the run
         from a foe
      who was as rentless
      as he was ruthless,
a stranger
      offers a little water
         and bakes a small
         biscuit, 
   a simple meal of
             promise;

to a couple
         walking down
      grief's road along
      the edge of
            Dark Valley,
a stranger
      offers broken
            bread
   to strengthen them
         for the journey
      into God's
            promise;

to us,
   Holy Stranger,
              come
         and feed us
         on your
      promises.

(c) 2014 Thom M. Shuman