As I hold you in my hand

Blood drips from your nose

With each gasp you take

You lie in wait

Then suddenly a tremor, a surge, a pounce

And to your side you flop

The concrete is growing colder now

But I quickly try and scoop your jittering limbs back onto my palm

And stroke you as gentle as I can manage

You remind me of my younger years

And I'm sorrowed seeing you now

Bereft of your own

Rest in the north field

I hope your night is warmer

With the cloth and leaves I bundled around you

Whisking you back to the summer days

When you were born

At least once, do tell a Lie

And see it twist the world around you.

Note how deceit is short-lived

So you’ll learn the Truth has value.

Then ignore all you need to do

And do all else that does not matter

Squander away those precious hours.

So you'll learn your Time has value.

Did someone make you punch a wall?

Punch their faces, spat your anger!

Allow bitter regret to leave you hollow,

So you'll learn Kindness has value.

There are terrors all around you.

Quiver in fear in your burrow,

Let the others save the day

So you’ll learn Valor has value.

While most lessons are forgotten,

The sins you pay for with tears and sorrow,

They will leave you marked forever.

They’re the lessons for tomorrow.

Because

Not until you've walked a mile

In a sinner’s shoes of lead,

Will you believe the truth and power

Of a saint’s holy creed.

I believe there are no sinners;

Only people who need to learn.