Yesterday while walking

Beneath an overpass

I saw the figure of Jesus

Standing barefoot on broken glass



His beard was graying

Smell of urine filled the air

Asking if I had some change

Anything that I could spare



Emaciated

His shaking fist balled up

Influenza and pneumonia

Begging God to take his cup



So different from his pictures

Breathing air through yellowed tubes

Jesus Christ, dying of AIDS

Can look right through you



And all have hated

Crucified and walked away

Savior of the prostitutes

Drunkards, rapists, and the gays



Under Bridges,

With hands raised

From the ghettos

They praise His name



Broken, crippled

In the dark of night

Raise your voices

To Jesus Christ



Hallelujah