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