Hello, there is a human being in here,
Not an object, not a type, not an enemy
Not an irritation or a nuisance
Not a big issue
Not just a need to be fed second-hand sandwiches on a cold street
Or cups of tea in polystyrene
Not something to be processed, avoided, removed or discarded
Not something that has come to steal your territory
Not a colour, or a nation, or a category
Not a problem to be solved or an agenda to be discussed
Not a drug, or drink, or a knife, or a bet, or a nut or a take-away
But a human being in here
To be welcomed, recognised, respected, seen, heard,
Allowed space to grow, to flourish, to laugh, to speak, to give, to sing
To love
A human being like you
With you, with God
And God with us
A human bring in here
A heart on the edge
Revd Richard Carter