We crossed the river at dawn: A baptism of sorts for the impure among us. I watched in amusement and incredulity, as they lay back in the water and let their ‘Sins’ be washed away. Their young, smirking faces, happy in the knowledge that the carpet-bags of their transgressions would be emptied, by the time they set foot upon the opposite bank. Yet these were the guilty men. The rattling chains of their confinement, echoes of an innocence long since drowned in rivers twice as muddy. In reality, the only thing that lay between their ‘Re-birth’ and death, was a courtroom. A judge and a verdict already decided. I pulled my hat down low across my face and rode on, in order to hide the tears that trickled forlornly down my cheeks. I cried – Not for the victims of those Shallow-men in chains. Nor for the desperately pathetic men themselves. I cried for the ignorant world that they inhabited. Devoid of love and shame and decency. I cried - for knowing that there were so many more faceless, feckless men, all marking time for the rope. I cried... Knowing that one of them. One of them... Was Me!
Reason for writing:
I really hope that you liked this one (I know I enjoyed writing it).I welcome your comments on this work. Regards. WR
Birth sign: Gemini
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