So the Story goes

So the story goes...

A child of peasant parents, frightened refugees

escaping genocide

raised in a land occupied

by empire, divided and unjust

a man of the land and the sea

with calloused working hands

a man of sorrows, familiar with grief

a solitary figure of deserts and storms

lively party guest

enigmatic commentator

escapologist

faith healer

jester

guru

agitator

confusing, frustrating, inclusive:

loving women, loving wine

loving the devout, the foolish

the mighty and the ugly

fierce advocate of the oppressed

playful, nonviolent resistor

of the dominating powers

a salve to the blister of religion

revealing the distant One to be a parent

close at heart

his human breath, somehow spirit

his jarring words, somehow peace

loving and resisting to the point of arrest

and martyrdom

pouring out the joy

in giving, in brokenness

strangely, hilariously, still living

in any who will, with two left feet,

attempt the odd steps of his waltz.