Pentecost

It was so crowded
in Jerusalem today,
and so busy.
But that’s not why
I’m late.
Something
amazing;
extraordinary
happened
and I couldn’t leave,
not until I was sure
it was over.
Mind you
I don’t think it will
ever be over,
not now.
I think,
I know
that what I saw
and heard
was just
the beginning.

It started
as I passed the place
where this man
Jesus’ disciples
were staying.
You know
the people I mean.
Ever since
the Passover celebrations
and that awful day
when it went dark;
when their leader was
crucified
I have seen them around,
meeting in groups;
praying in the Temple.
It always struck me
that they were
waiting
for something to happen.
I don’t know what,
but something.



Anyway,
to get to the point,
I think
that ‘something’
happened
today.

I was just walking past
the house
as I said
and there was
this ‘sound’
all round
like a sudden gale.
But
in the street
where I was
it was calm.
It was really
strange;
eerie,
like something
had passed through me.
And then,
well,
you’ve never heard
anything
like it.
This sudden noise
came from the house
like the sound of
a thousand voices
all speaking at once
but,
well,
I can’t really describe it.
It wasn’t raucous.
It was harmonious;
beautiful,
exciting.
I couldn’t move.
I was rooted to the spot.
The crowd grew
bigger and bigger.
All of us
just standing there,
listening.
And then
it hit me.
I suddenly realised
that the voice
I could hear
above all the rest
was speaking
to me,
in my own language;
one I hadn’t used
for years;
not since coming to Jerusalem
in fact.
Talking to me,
me, personally,
and telling me things;
such wonderful things
that I can’t share
even with you.
It was like
my heart
was on fire.
I couldn’t leave.
I didn’t want to leave.
I wanted;
needed,
to know more,
more
about this
Jesus.
There is so much more
to learn;
to know;
to understand.
But
I have started.

I have been baptised.

I had to tell you.

© Kathleen Wilks