Simple Men

I have held the hand of sorrow unable to comprehend its pain, shared a sandwich with a beggar offered respite from the rain stood my turn as sentry guarding our open gate secure in Milton’s promise “they also serve who stand and wait”. I have turned the other cheek forever gentle, never meek listened as the mindless spoke preserved their right to speak, built the rising city’s towers imbued the brick and steel. Held a child in infancy made mud pies shaped like hearts stifled tears as others cried at lives seemed torn apart. My hands, grown calloused, still reach to touch the simple joys beyond Life’s rush of smiling eyes and gentle hands that made - and altered - future plans. I have held the hand of sorrow moved past it through each morrow sought the sunshine of each day for simple men – that is their way. John G. Lawless 4/14/2015