VISIONS OF THE MESSIAH ON VIRGINIA BEACH

Dreadlocked and beaming,

he reminded me of Jesus

fingering the heel and arch

of a new disciple,

when I lifted my sandy

foot onto his thigh

and he began cleaning it

with a sun-drenched towel.

Sliding his lips

past the weak flesh

behind my knee,

he christened my calf

then gave a nod to Lazarus—

his friend with cornrows

and a boogie-board—who rose

to spread the word.

---

---