rules of engagement

"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that  
curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for  
them which despitefully use you, and persecute you..."  
Matthew 5:44 KJV  
 
 
he was a prisoner  
of war,  
by far  
a wicked treasoner;  
yet, when i saw him so  
athirst,  
my first  
instinct compelled me to  
 
go fetch him water,  
and charge him after.  
 
 
he was an hungered for  
some bread;  
i fed  
his gut, despite the war.  
naked was he in chains:  
he stood  
there nude,  
i shielded all his veins—  
 
i had to feed him  
before i bleed him.  
 
 
i saw that he was sick;  
his breath,  
like death,  
so shallow and so quick.  
i nursed him back to life  
—amen!—  
and then  
i made him face the strife  
 
i had aborted,  
which he had started.  
 
 
the prisoner was black,  
his sight  
a fright  
to such as i, who lack  
deep fervour for the face  
of man,  
in one  
that differs from my race.  
 
mine is the treason,  
to so lack reason!  
 
 
the rules of life are few:  
give love  
above,  
love men as you love you;  
live peaceably with all,  
whose worth  
the earth  
knew well before the fall.  
 
one day the Father  
the just will gather.  
 
 
© Copyright 2021 April 03  
by Clyve A. Bowen♫