(philadelphia)

We laid on the Beastie our scandalous skinfulness
Urges uncomfortable -- physical gravity
Tangible terror of self that eluded us.

Then slowly it edged out of camp to our cursing:
Cursing our unamputatible nature
We tried hard to live without -- clumsily laid on this piteous beast.

And we didn't care where it went in the wilderness
Just that it never returned to remind us
Of all of ourselves that defied explanation.

Now something has happened we couldn't have known about
Scapegoats are never supposed to return --
But this one has.

Crazily rampaging through our community
Dropping our shame at our feet with impunity.
I can't remember when we were this terrified.

What happened, Scapegoat, in wilderness terrible;
What sent you back to a people who loathed you so?
What gave you strength the load lightly to bear?

A Lamb there released me from my burden, Shameful,
Healed me and sent me to you with a word of life:
"Carry your load to the Lamb in the wilderness."

Fire rages there who is deeper than mystery.
Fanned by a Strong Wind who bore me to find you;
The Lamb and the Fire and the Wind -- they consumed me.

Now I cannot but return to this people
Whose shame cries for help in the desert.
I know the way back to the Lamb in the wilderness,

Take up your shame and come after me.