Voices

Here's a poem.  Here it is.


Voices
Let me ask you something
What did you feel?
What did you feel when you killed them?

In the shed behind the barn
while they were busy doing
chores, fetching the shovel

What went through your mind?
What were you thinking?
Could you think?

Your hands tremble now
despite being laced together
were they trembling then I wonder

Trembling when you stole the shovel away
I see your tears now
Like a shattered mirror

What could they have felt then?
You were there
please tell me

Were there tears in their eyes?
Were they crying like you are now?
Who is in more pain?

They're gone now, you know this
no amount of sorry, bribery or begging
for forgiveness will bring them back

They were not yours to take, but neither
were they mine
They were God's

And only He knows where they are now
I cannot say whether
they are in a better place

But one thing I can say, as I stand here
watching you
collapsing under my gaze

broken and feeble, like the bones
of those two
Splintered within yourself

The voices may call out now
but they will be silent still
hush now, you've made a mistake

Hush now, I forgive you.