I wrote this song a couple of years ago, and included it in my 2011 chapbook “answers like socks.” The video has my performance of the song, together with photos taken in Nova Scotia and right here in Elkhart, Indiana. The double rainbow is not a fake! This heartfelt post goes out with love and with sorrow. And with a lot of hope.
I am a lonely Jonah
Running from the word of God
I got swallowed by a whale for
All the junk I’ve handed on.
I washed up on the seashore
Where I saw the ones we’ve bound
In a trail of lonely exiles
Off the road for being found
What if everything was different
What if all that I had told you was wrong?
What if grace was never rationed
What if love was never dammed
Turning all our anxious grasping
From a fist to an open hand
What if everything was different
What if all that I had told you was wrong?
It’s easy when you’re younger
To save your soul by casting stones
Someday that cupboard will swing open
You’re gonna meet those laughing bones
What if everything was different
What if all that I had told you was wrong?
There’s a stirring in my spirit
I’ve got hope for what I see
Cause even stumbling love casts out fear
And the truth is gonna set us free
What if Jesus wore a rainbow
What if God wiped out the line
What if Christians asked forgiveness
From the ones we’ve left behind.
What if everything was different
What if all that I had told you was wrong?
What if Jesus wore a rainbow
For the ones we’ve left behind.
Penguin Poems 
Andrew, that is such a beautiful poem, it both gave me goosebumps and tears—especially love the stanza starting with “What if grace were never rationed…” hope that some day those “what if’s” become “what is”
Thanks, Sara! I love that movement from what if to what is…
This is beautiful, Andrew. Sara’s favorite line was mine, too…”What if grace was never rationed…” And asking forgiveness for the ones we left behind. I felt that in my gut, both for present friendships, and the “someday” factor. Powerful stuff.
Thank you , De. Here’s hoping for so many friendships, past present and yet to come.
Andrew, I have to confess I’m just now getting around to reading your blog. I’m loving it. Such nice work here! I just nominated you for a Versatile Blogger Award (and yes, you have versatility here as a poet; I like that very much). Congrats! I’m at http://gerrygwilson.com. The awards piece is “The Writerly Life is Blushing.”
Thanks, Gerry! Wow, what a nice honor – I’ll be sure to come over and check out your blog…