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John Piper: A Virus More Deadly Than Ebola

Ebola virus
A Transmission Electron Micrograph of the Ebola virus is seen. (CDC/Dr. Frederick A. Murphy)
Amid Donald Trump's panicky words about bringing Ebola-infected patients to the United States, one Christian voice is warning of a virus worse than Ebola. John Piper has written a poem that cuts to the heart of the matter:

Today a thousand dead. And more 
     To die. A common ache, like flu,
Then nausea, a fever-soar,
     A hopeless clinic interview:
    "There's nothing we can do."
The bleeding has no bias. These:
    A child, a chief, a friend, a nurse,
Liberian, and Leonese,
    From Guinea, Texas, taste the curse—
     And kindness, from the Purse.
Samaritans, six thousand miles
     From home and care, subdue their fears,
And wonder if a sneeze defiles,
     Or if a healthy fluid clears
     The curse. Perhaps their tears.
But now two treasured ones, struck down,
     Contagious still with death—and love—
Fly back to us, our joy, our crown,
     A touch of grace, a gentle dove,
     Yet through a plastic glove.
While in our land we see today
     Another virus spreading, dumped,
More deadly, in the soul. They say,
     "Why bring them home?" Though you be stumped,
     This grace will not be trumped.


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