Nicodemus Poem by Carol Fleming Klein

Robed in black
Stepping slowly through silent stony streets
Covering his face from curious starlight
overhead

He guides his doubtful steps upward
and on the mountain finds
the Master waiting

Masking his doubts and saying slyly
'Teacher, we know you come from God'
Flattering to avoid Jesus' soul searching
inquiry, and pressing questions

But Christ
without regard to propriety and forms
and divining his intent
Straightway fitted arrow to the bow
and sent it piercing home

'Unless a man is born again
from Spirit life renewed
Coming, as a cautious lover wooed
to feel the gentle blowing
wind song of the Spirit
he walks in night,
forever alone.'

Saturday, March 17,1980