The Fugitive
He’s now subdued and has health issues.
He was once in a dysfunctional marriage.
He’s presently in a stable relationship.
He’s more responsible and doesn’t drink like he use to.
He’s a gentleman, and no longer beats and abuses women.
Once a dead beat dad; he’s now trying to be a good father.
Once like an enemy to me; but now, he’s civil and a friend.
But there was a long journey before entering the road to civility.
He had prior criminal offenses before I ever came to know him.
Serving time for his crimes did little to alter his bad behavior.
He disturbed my family’s peace, and the peace of my neighbors.
The law did not protect anyone from the destruction of his disturbed soul.
He refused to surrender to law enforcement to face the music for his crimes.
Becoming a fugitive from justice, he fled the continental United States, and
remained so for some five years.
No man is an Island, and at some point, we all get caught.
He has now paid his debt to society, and his running days are over.
03092016 PS Contest, “A Fugitive”, by Julia Ward
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