Red Letter Day

It seems such a long time ago

He got off the plane

With those imposing towers

Of Manhattan in the distance.

An excitement,

A good,

A new land

The old ways left behind

 A chance to grow,

To serve and succeed.

Across the wide open prairies

From the Atlantic to Pacific

From the Gulf to the mountains

Everything seemed so free,

So fresh, so good.

God's works

And promises

So boundless

So true

Succeed almost guaranteed.

A utopia almost to good?

Some rumblings in the background

As he was not marginalized

He was fine

In a little tunnel of his own

A beautiful wife

A good job

A safe Church.

He's made it!

But, something did not seem right

Millions starving

Sleeping on the street

Beaten for the race,

Abused for their sex

Or for their orientation or view.

He could only bow in shame

As he passed by.

Restless night after restless night

As the words

Of Christ swirled in his head

"Love your enemy

Blessed are the peacemakers,

The meek, the sick

Turn the other cheek

Take care of the poor."

Contrary to what was preached.

Where does this fit?

Everything seemed wrong now

All around he saw

Hate, not, love

Envy, not, joy

Retaliation, not, peace.

Violence, hate death.

Around every corner

Lies and fear.

A few years later

It is now to late

The red letter writing

That stood out on the pages

Of the Holy book are gone

Leaving just the legalities

That were supposed to have passed

Leaving pain everywhere

And bodies in the gutter.

He looks at the book

In his shaking hand

Knowing it was illegal

For these pages to be seen

There should have been ripped up,

Burnt and forgotten

As the  country moved

To a dictatorship,

A new "Mein Kampf" as scripture.

The fresh land he'd arrived at

Gone, destroyed

Rubble of broken lives everywhere.

He should have worn that safety pin

Should have spoken out

Should have live those red words

And gone and lived

Been selfless

Whatever the cost.

Now it's to late

They are coming

They know about the Book

So it's time for it to be hidden.

Finally with courage to stand,

To hold on to it and and shout

"Jesus is love and peace

All people are equal".

If only sooner!!

The door breaks

A shout

A shot rings out

What success?

What hope?

As memories flood

"If only" he cries

"Forgive me!!"

Then, it's over.

 -Richard