Entertaining Strangers
“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Hebrews 13:2
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Awakening sluggishly from a morphine-induced nap,
I discovered a stranger’s glare.
Luminescent green eyes… pale skin
and a peaceful, ethereal smile…
beckoning.
The stranger sat in a brown,
vinyl upholstered chair
facing the hospital bed.
A second glance suggested
an incongruous mystique.
Garbed in an absolute white,
ankle length taffeta robe,
matching the color of her shiny hair,
the stranger glared straight ahead…
magnolia white curls framing her face.
Closing my drowsy eyes once again,
feeling the hovering presence of the stranger…
one hundred thirty pounds of skin and bone;
remnants of my once robust body, now
assigned to battle the ruthless ravages of cancer.
The devastating,
forty-two rounds of radiation…
and ten IV bags of chemotherapy,
attacked my emaciating body…
prayer, the only comfort I knew.
Grasping the stranger’s hand,
gently pressing the palm to my sunken cheek…
procuring strength with each touch…
each shared word… each uttered prayer…
the undeniable warmth of His blessing overtook me.
The foreboding of fear and evil,
haunted me no longer.
Victory was near… Victory was mine…
I had entertained a stranger…
unawares.
© Copyright 2008 Gerard Lebel
All rights reserved
Jerry, Knowing that you have fought and beat cancer I can only imagine this encounter with an angel. Your friend in words, Pete
Not far from the reality of the experience. I pray you never have to go through this but if you do, appreciate you are not the first. You are not alone.....A brave Poem this... It sure needs to be shared. Kind regards. Philip
I hope Michael reads this poem and that it will give him hope that when cancer thinks it has won it is not always the case. So glad you are here with us Jerry to share all your life's experiences. Excellent write as always.... Pat