Priest ~ Levite ~ Samaritan ' (Who Am I?) Poem by Carmela Patterson

Who am I? Whom do I purport to be?
Do I recognize the you I see?
Do I see Jesus in you, or in me?
Do I walk by blindly, unkindly
Leaving you to another brother?
Do I not turn back?
Alas.....my lack!

Am I the priest who crossed the road?
Am I the Levite who, by you, strode?
Treatment by them was not received;
How that priest and Levite were deceived,
What thoughts were conceived?
They did not do as they believed.

Oh but the Samaritan kindly stopped;
By your side he compassionately dropped
To bind your wounds with care
When he saw you lying there.
He made arrangements 'til you were well;
What a lesson your story will tell
For numberless years
To quell fears and tears.
You, Lord, you it was who lay there,
Robbed, beaten, and bare.
Did not anyone care?

It was I who passed you by...
For that omission I bitterly cry.
Wipe my tears dry ~
Give me one more try,
I prayerfully sigh,
Next time I won't pass you by.