Baptism

Time’s a-washin’.—
Away, that is. But I want to know, is
it washing me clean? I took my dirty clothes off
and plunged into the tub.

Problem with Baptism—what will you do
when you’re clean, to avoid getting dirty again?
You could starve yourself to death, but even that
probably wouldn’t work.

There are many white folks
among us who have found
Jesus and been cleansed.
They terrify me!

I finally got to the place
where I said, Jesus, heal me! I am sick
unto death! and all that.
Would Jesus make me clean again?

That seems to be what St. Paul had in mind:
Original Sin overcome, no need for the Briss;
if only we accept Jesus,
our redeeming personal Friend.

But am I actually without sin then,
washed white as snow
in the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb? No,
I am black still.

Salvation happens in a timeless instant.

You can’t be saved if you aren’t fallen.
After I’m saved, I’ll put my dirty
clothes back on again.