The Fingers of a Believer

       The Fingers of a Believer

Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem 

Disciple Thomas thrust his fingers in

The slit.  Did he feel blood and warmth, a squish

Of slickness, flesh, fulfilment, or just sin

Of doubt?  Did Jesus feel new wounding, wish

That Thomas had believed and loved? The tale

Does not reveal these details.  If I thrust

My hand inside your ribcage, would I fail

To reach your heart and cause the strength of lust

That I would love?  Would desperation reach

The pumping muscle of devotion?  Would

You feel my pain and could my fingers preach

My gospel lost as any cross of wood?

  Would you believe me if my hand could score

    A grasp on something certain at your core?

Phillip Whidden