The Man

I just want to say
about that
other man
that died today
(Have mercy on his soul)

He wasn’t anyone
I knew
He was
half a world away
caught up in a dark
dark world
died
at the hands
of merciless men

I realized
there is nothing less
than a soul
with no compassion
for the helpless

That dignity
inhabits humanity
to the last
breath
that murder
sees the image of God
as worthless

And it makes me
wish I knew him
makes me
wish I could
bear testimony
to his humanity
however frail

And it makes me
feel ashamed
that every day
I am
walking past them
walking past men
stepping over Lazarus

(Have mercy on my soul)