Credo

The question came up, like yesterday’s vomit:
What do I think of the “faithful” centurion?
Well, he believes the Master can heal;
I believe I am going to be sick.

They say he built the local school;
The city’s elders find honor in that.
But even a temple-building despot
Is still, I believe, a reeking despot.

The Romans are all insufferable heathens
Who do abominable things with their “boys.”
If he believes that he is unworthy,
I believe he likely has cause.

If he and his servant-boy suffer indeed
They probably reap what they’ve liberally sown.
The two are Gentiles, decidedly unclean—
I believe the worst, and am justified fully.

“Let it be done,” the Master decreed,
“to you as you have believed in your heart.”
Jesus healed what I would reject.
I believe I have much to learn.