Baptized By Snow

I’d come to the diner to get something to eat,

then spied the old man from my window seat

he tugged at his collar, beat snow from his chest,

squatted out of the wind, as if trying to rest

The warmth of my table soon brought with it shame.

I yearned for his story, I longed for his name

the wind cut through my coat as I crossed the street

and asked this vagabond in to get something to eat

He confirmed he was hungry and gladly came along

to the warm cozy diner filled with Christmas song

we both then returned to that window seat

and I begged him to order all he wanted to eat

From neighboring tables came looks of alarm,

as if his mere presence should cause any harm

he showed no concern for these looks behind his back

as he ordered eggs over easy, toast and coffee - black

The warm mug of coffee never left his old hands

as he told of his travels across these cold lands

there was light in his eyes and heart in his voice

when he spoke of the reason that all should rejoice

I was baptized by snow on that cold winters day

and I suddenly saw things in a different way

he left me changed in both heart and head

with the things that he shared, the words in red

‘Twas a cold winters day when he came to town

his burden so heavy, he briefly laid it down

a sack full of booklets that shared the good news

spoke a truth too narrow for some people’s views