Some People Never See

Some People Never See

(“God will bless you, if you don’t give up when your faith is being tested. He will reward you with a glorious life, just as he rewards everyone who loves him.” James 1:12)

Some people never see the figure, blurry gray,
that trudges against the bluster like an eerie wraith
pacing itself through the wind, the snow, the
blizzard begun well after the final thaw of spring.

Caught unaware, and without fellows to chat away the
bellow each open-mouthed gust, he must plod alone,
blinded by a new storm that refuses to relent.

If someone caught a glimpse of him, they would be certain
he was running…from something…seeing his determination that
seemed to take him away from every visible tie,
leaving convenience stores behind,
and headed, (judging by his current direction)
somewhere out of town.

All he knew (though few others did), was his orders expected him
to follow the trail he started a sunnier and younger year ago.
He was not lost, he could follow the course, and facedown to
avoid the screaming dusts of ice, he walked straight ahead,
the only path he knew.

Days without sun, weeks like the days, months at a time with no
change, no long range outlook to restore the way he used to walk
imbibing the sky.

What was the shame that made him change his name,
why was a single cup of coffee and a smile enough,
when did he start, and didn’t the blizzard hurt him more,
and thinking again, maybe his depression made his plod,
a hidden sin made this walk his epilogue.

Some people noticed him, and more talked about what
others said must have been in his head to make him
walk when he should be safe indoors.

It was not apparent,
was not clear, but here and there you could swear you heard
someone say he walked this way, and started the same, out of
love.