Wistful Clouds

"Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven." Acts 1:10-11

----Acts Chronicles Chapter 1 – Wistful Clouds – The Thoughts Of The Disciples Upon Seeing Jesus Depart---

This world is just too incongruous with our expectations
too heterogeneous to comport well
with our acute longings for a Jewish heritage shared
with You
because now the yoke still remains
our hearts still wrenched, the spears of the Roman guard
still refract sunlight that pierces our eyes
gleaming
a smug look as we cower walking by
a sneer if we exude joy
Caesar’s coins ensure water flows in our aqueducts
not David’s, not Solomon’s
and the prospect remains that Herod might kill our sons
we used to share these stories with You
as John laid on your breast, and Peter bungled our meal
spilling the fish on the ground excitedly recounting miracles
of the day
We remember watching You sleep
marveling that you didn’t snore, after the singing the hymns
(on verdant knolls)
you taught us staring at the moon, peering at the stars
consoling ourselves with sentiments
of Israel restored and Rome crushed beneath her foot
But now that Youre gone
exorcisms, walking on water, raising the dead, feeding the poor
healing the sick, restitution of the Promised Land
hauling in fish that strains our nets
elude us, hidden behind the clouds that shroud your path
and all we can do is gaze
tears streaming, minds harkening back
to the hills that gave us the best vantage of the night skyline
too scared to look away
too scared to be alone