I remember the first time I was approached
By an Evangelist-
I was sitting on a park bench with my friends,
Talking about- something-
I can't remember what:
Politics? Games? Girls?
When this elderly lady walked up to us
With a glint in her eyes and a bag full of apples;
She stood right in front of us,
Grounded her feet,
And Talked:

She told us about the problems with society today,
(Lack of faith, and trust, and love)
And the reasons why it's come to this
(Too much politics, not enough religion)
And how we can do better for ourselves
(By finding our faith, and learning
To love, and beginning to trust
In something greater than us.)

And as she talked
(And boy, did she talk)
I watched the faces of my friends-
They screamed of disgust,
Of boredom,
Of contempt-
Where I listened,
They scoffed.
Where I nodded,
They scowled.
Where I thanked the lady for her effort,
And concern,
They walked away without a word
And laughed behind her back.

I didn't agree with a word that she said,
And, to be honest, I still don't;
But I've always believed in equal returns-
If someone approaches you with
Courage etched into their bones,
And asks for a minute of your time;
Give it.
Listen closely, and listen well,
And when they come to the end of their spell,
Thank them from the depths of your hear;
For while you might not share their beliefs,
You never know what you might learn;
And, someday, it might just be your turn
To speak,
And hope,
And teach.