Outside

A beggar sits outside the gates of Rome

a prophet begs 

a word from him

they're tearing us limb from limb

they're laughing the laugh of sin

when are you coming home?

silently the beggar stands

broken chains 

from his ankles clang

on his words prophets hang

he tasted dust while angels sang

his single tear conquered all their lands

black lightning strikes

and the sun 

turns black and blue

the waters above drip red with dew

the barren womb's time is due

the family heads are left stuck on pikes

sorrow begins in siren screams

don't close the eye

or deafen the ear

let Israel taste and let Israel hear

be the thought and be the fear

open the law and be its dreams

a beggar stands outside the gates of Rome

eye to eye

with a prophet's soul

white fire spills from black fire bowls

the bird's heart pounds and the earthquake rolls

when are you coming home?

a child plays in the heavenly grass

the moon is out

and the sun is dead

the angels bring the child bread

she sings the words the beggar said 

Tell Israel I'll meet her on the sea of glass