Photo by Ethan Jones on Pexels.com

Scene 1.
“Give up,” raged the sun

beating the message into his skin

“Give up,” screamed the world

enraged at the audacity of staggering on

“Give up,” sang the vulture

waiting to feast on the remains of the fallen
Scene 2.
A moment after burning alive in the desert

he stumbled upon an oasis

overcome by the wisdom of pain

the pilgrim dropped to his knees before the water

only a moment after facing a horizon so barren
a river ran green across the empty plain

bringing life where formerly, only death could be seen

and suddenly, the harsh music of the world

the cackling of the vultures

and the loud proclamations of the news

were no longer worth remembering