he spoke in riddles
but explained nothing

stilted
like cold water thrown at your face
was our conversation

Did he always speak like that?
Was he really so rude?

the ripples of passing time
make the memory faint

But for a moment
we stood before him
Intrigued –
we put away our knives – wondering
united in the uncertainty
of what we might have found.

(reflection on Jesus’ meeting with the woman at the well in John 4)