"Missed the Mark"

Up from the grave arose the one believers call “the Son,”
the firmament His goal this trip -- ‘twas The Ascension.
Yes, He’d embarked at last, life slipped, His Father for to see,
had to check in with St. Peter first for he hold’s Heaven’s keys.

The gatekeeper, Pete, he asked “Good ride?” Jesus quipped “The sail was good,
tho’ the crossing was quite rough.” Said Peter, “Understood.”
“In any case ,” asked Jesus, “has Heaven room for me?”
and Saint Peter double-checked, then he smiled and said “Mais, oui!”

“Now,” the Son of God said, “Pete, I’ve got something to discuss.
Since Dad and I have never met, you see, the two of us,
must meet at last now that I’m here” – then Jesus gave a frown –
“but I’m not sure what He looks like or where He might be found.”

“Well, findin’ Him’s a chore,” said Pete, “He doesn’t stay
upon His throne but wanders His kingdom to survey,
the best that I can tell you, kid, is look around …
you’ll spot a guy who looks like he is lost in thoughts profound.

“An old man with a beard of white, God looks a little frail.
(Don’t let looks deceive you, He’s really pretty hale.)
He has so much to watch over, He sometimes seems at sea
if He doesn’t recognize you first, just shout “Hey, Dad, it’s me!”

“That simply does not add up,” said Tom Swift, a bit nonplussed,
and Jesus felt the same way, that "It would have been more just
for Dad to meet me at the gate, not make me track Him down
but I guess it’s up to me to find the geezer in his gown.”

Now, to the Son of God it seemed his search had just begun
before he spied a senior that He thought could be the one --
all bearded and bent, white-togaed, yet looking spry and sound.
He guessed it couldn’t hurt to ask in case ‘twas Dad he’d found.

So Jesus grabbed the gent as he was shuffling past,
Elated at the prospect He might meet his dad at last.
Said He, “I’m looking for my Dad, we’ve never met, you see,
But I’m told He looks a lot like you … could you, perhaps, be He?

The old man looked at Him and said “Well, I’ll be damned!
I had a son on Earth like you, with holes in feet and hands.”
Jesus nearly leapt for joy and shouted “Daddio!”
The old man grabbed and hugged the boy … and cried “Pinocchio!”