Vanishing Point

Vanishing Point

(Homage to the brothers and sisters in Christ at Emmanuel AME Church, Charleston, SC, 2015)

Lines converged

At the front of Emanuel AME church.

UnWise Blood, brooding in the back, ran cold.

 ~~

Lines converged

As Emanuel AME-“God with us”-black brother and sisters.

Wise Blood sought the unconditional, indiscriminate embrace of the Other.

~~

Lines converged

While prayers ascended

UnWise Blood descended…into hell.

~~

Lines converged

A fine point emerged (but not from prayer),

A trajectory of bile aimed at neighbors on their knees.

~~

Lines converged and Wise Blood flowed out

Wooden cross braces could no longer bear its sacred weight.

New Life arose away from earth’s downward pull.

~~

Lines Converged

As showers of prayers began descending:

“I forgive you.” “I pray that you repent.” “May God have mercy on your soul.”

~~

Lines Converged

When I was told “White Privilege is your name.”

“You are excluded, neighbor”.

~~

Lines Converged

When credence for exclusion beget civil war anarchy,

When credence for exclusion became Dogma from a bully pulpit.

~~

Lines Converged

When Evil handed UnWise Blood the means to destroy the spiritual growth of the Other.

At twenty-one.

~~

 Lines converged

Dylann Roof emerged.

Civil War meet God.

 

 

 

© Sally Paradise, 2015, All Rights Reserved

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Forgiveness at the Threshold of Mercy