For Ash Wednesday

Bartimaeus

by Beverly Ewart

Have mercy, Lord, on blind Bartimaeus -

I've been living in darkness for so long.

I sit by the roadside, hidden by dust

swirling around me, churned up by the thrust

of the feet of the passing, negligent throngs.

Have mercy, Lord, on blind Bartimaeus.

I can't see you, but you'll hear me – you must!

My eyes have no sight, but my voice has grown strong.

I sit by the roadside, hidden by dust,

and the blessed well-dressed might drop a stale crust.

The righteous look past me as they move along.

Have mercy, Lord, on blind Bartimaeus!

Passers-by hear me and tell me to hush!

...my call for your notice importunate, wrong.

I sit by the roadside, hidden by dust.

But the Teacher HAS heard... he calls over the crush,

“What do you want me to do for you, Son?”

“Have mercy, Lord, on blind Bartimaeus,

I sit by the roadside, hidden by dust.”

~

The story of Bartimaeus is found in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 10: 46-52.

~

 As a father has compassion on his children, 
   so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; 
for he knows how we are formed, 

   he remembers that we are dust. 

Psalm 103:13-14 (NIV)