Into the Horizon

Forgiveness
It is a freckle on a smiling passer by's skin
it is a passage from the bible in a slipping mind
it is proof that there was a reason and a time when,  
people were willing to overcome their differences and see what common ground they could find
these days there's a lot of ground to cover
you've got to build bridges; open your values an extra mile wide
not just to get to know each other
so you can have new people in your life, passengers hitching a ride
when they reach their stop they'll live on  
you will as well and there's no shame in looking back
the nights of the past are beautiful, so is the golden dawn.
 
Punishment  
It is as if a broken bone has healed all wrong
it is the sight of the thing that makes you flinch
it is proof that there was a season for rhyme and song
you must have been hurt by someone close, so close, within an inch
these days it is so easy to recognize the turmoil when self-imposed  
you've got to leave early, arrive late, trust no one and stay under
you can't smile with your crocodile teeth, you don't want to be trusted; keep your mouth closed
mouse-like in your manner, no past; no problems, barring the fear of others like rats in thunder
when they're finally gone you'll be painless and as joyful in your freedom as you can get
the thoughts may tremble your hands and steal hours of sleep from you; haunt your days
but for now this is what you wanted, to live and forget in the gilded glow of a gorgeous sunset.