hope
With Eyes Wide Open
With my eyes wide open, I saw your post about the overweight woman in the gym, about the “losers” on welfare, about the older woman with dry skin still wearing sandals with her cracked skin on her heels exposed, about the shoes a female political candidate was wearing, about the “riff raff” who can’t get insurance, about the fake news you were spreading without checking other sources, about the immigrants that you have never even talked to, about the gay people you think are trying to destroy your faith, about the transgender people you think are trying to harm people in bathrooms…
With my eyes wide open, I looked for your posts about trying to stop sexual abuse on college campuses, but I didn’t see one. I looked for your posts about ending domestic abuse, but I didn’t see one. I looked for your posts saying you were meeting with scared, pregnant young women to sit with them and talk with them about their options, but I only saw your post judging them because they considered abortion.
With my eyes wide open, I looked for your post that says you talked with many of us who are uninsured to discuss why we are insured and ways this nation may help families who are struggling. I just saw your posts about hoping you save money. I looked for your posts about stopping fake news and getting back to truth. I just saw your posts that repeated falsehoods that made you feel comfortable.
With my eyes wide open, I looked for your posts that said you sat with immigrants to hear their life stories. I only saw your posts about “radicals” who you think are trying to kill us all. I looked for your posts that said you sought out this nation’s hurting people so you could comfort them and spread love. I only saw your judgments.
With my eyes wide open, I looked for the invitation to the table you share with others…it never arrived…
When I Say the Words
When I Say the Words
By Chris Pepple ©2017
When I say the words
“I love you” to my neighbors,
to my friends,
to those I’ve known for years,
and to those I met
on the journey today,
I’m telling you that I see you—
The whole you…all of you.
I am not afraid of
the sight of your scars
or the sounds of your crying
or the knowledge of weaknesses…
I love the darkness of your
chocolate-colored skin
and the depth of brownness
in your soul-revealing eyes…
And I also love
the desert-kissed skin of
you, my friend, with
your deep black hair and
your chestnut-colored lips
that highlight the smile
that draws us all
into your joy…
And you with the
terra-cotta blush and
the laughter in your eyes…
And you with the
sand-colored hands
and green eyes
that disguise your mischief…
And you with the
ivory unblemished skin and blue eyes…
Or you—the one who wears your age
and shows your leathery arms
as you toil again through the day…
And you as you paint with the sunrise
or sing well past the sunset
or dance with the wind
or hum quietly as you write
or cook like your grandmother
the buttery-rich comfort food
or you—the one who adds
the spice that kicks in with each bite.
I love you
because you are like me—
You seek joy,
follow hopes,
love deeply,
daydream,
toil,
fear…
I love you
because you are different—
You sing a different song,
dance to a different beat,
create with a different style,
love in a different way,
toil using your unique gifts,
fear a different enemy…
I see you—the whole you…
And celebrate us all today…
By Chris Pepple ©2017
What this is about…
What this is about…
By Chris Pepple ©2017
This is not about politics,
not parties, not platforms…
This is about people…
And possibilities…
Promises to keep…
Hope to hang on to…
This is about being loved…
And being love…
About the love that can’t
be defined or controlled
by one group alone…
This is about the justice
longed for since
the most ancient of days…
About peace dreamed of…
About faith that goes beyond
human logic and beyond
my own desires and wishes—
A faith that sees humanity as a whole…
A faith the tells me to open doors
and share hope
and build homes
and shatter abuse
and feed the hungry
and drive out hate
and speak truth
and take chances
and walk on water
and break bread
and shine light
and walk away from my comfort
in order to bring about
a safe place where
all can seek faith and hope
and love and light and joy and peace
and justice and mercy
Together…
For God so loved the world…
— Chris Pepple ©2017

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