The Toll

This day

I met the killer on the road

On the road

With eyes like flickering lanterns

Far away,

Coming

How slowly we passed

Cradled in God’s time

Each most curiously viewing the other

This day I witnessed courage, and truth,

And innocence

Beside an open grave

Bound by sunlight and shadow

And whispers in the trees

I knew this time,

This time,

Was not for me

And felt both joy and sorrow

Two ways

One road

Not free

J. Douglas Lynn