I lay in pain outside the walls

An outcast, unwanted

Not included in the feast

Overlooked, yet part of them

Disregarded, yet important

Disdained, yet deserving their respect

I look at the gate from the distance

Closed and guarded to keep me out

To separate, the gatekeeper vigilant

Watching, guarding, refusing entry

Yet I am here, longing, hoping

For change of heart, for acceptance

I huddle together with others in pain and sorrow

Pining to touch, to feel, to see again

Those who have discarded us look away

Are we not as deserving as they?

Do we not live the same life as they?

And have the same blood in our veins?

We watch as they live their self importance

We cry out to be heard and share in life

But ne’re do they hear nor see, nor care

We are not to blame for our illness or deformity

Yet we are blamed, scorned, not admitted

Is there not one who will look to us?

Oh Lord have pity on them who look away

Have mercy on their souls

I know You will care for us even as they do not

Open and soften their hardened hearts

Their lives painted white needing the color of life

In all its unconformity and imperfection

When you welcome me home Lord I pray

That I too do not look away as did they

From those who scorned me as did they

May I open my gates to welcome them in

In all their falseness, in all their broken perfection

May I not disdain what they have done and not

And love them as they did not me

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