Waiting Arms

Arms wide open,
a face welcoming a child.
The wanderer
who returns from the briar patch,
wounded
but healed,
by the embrace of the waiting arms.

Arms wide open,
a love without condition.
The journey home
is nearly complete.
Filth is cleansed
from soul
and flesh
by the embrace of the waiting arms.

Arms wide open,
a white robe of forgiveness.
The scarlet blood
of iniquities
is washed away.
The sinner is welcomed
into the embrace of the waiting arms.

Arms wide open,
despite pride
and venomous tongues.
The sheep cornered by shadows of life,
clinging to the last ember
of hope,
crawling from the depths
into the embrace of waiting arms.



copyright 2017 - Donald P James Jr