The Exchange

He walked with a 9 mm drawn,

Toward the house of his perceived enemy...

an angry man with murder on his mind.

I saw him and whispered in his ear...

What do you hold in your heart?

He ignored me

and kept walking...

I asked again,
what do you hold in your heart?
He looked at me with a questioning gaze,
then turned away.

I tapped his shoulder,
and his shoulders sagged.

He cried with tears in his eyes, "I feel hatred and want revenge."

He looked down and had no more words.

I showed him my hands.
"Take these and give me
your hatred, your vengeance."
I can bear them, you cannot.
I see your soul; the light is dim.

You must find your light by letting these things go,
and I must find mine by helping you -
for you are my friend..

and I am yours.

Together can we end this cycle of madness.

He turned to me and I took his gun... gently

We both breathed in the Spring like air

and watched as a crow flew by

Then walked back to his house....

and sat on the steps in silence.....

Crossing My Path

She was back.
The little black cat 
that crossed my path last month.
A small kitty, but in the same place.
I think she's loosely 'owned'.
But, I stopped this time 
and she turned at my clucking 
and sat down gently.
The darkness was friendly,
as I could see she was.
A community cat.
Next time I'll pass more slowly,
And hope she does too…