A Good Man

In the beginning it was said, “Let there be a God.”

Today an old man, a father, a friend, lies peacefully.
               Eyes to the heavens
               he recalls his life
               because he cannot do otherwise

Born a Christian, he grew up in the rapturous surveil of the church.
               He was good, dutiful, pious,
               as they expected
               because he should never do otherwise

He was a good man, a curious man, a sick man. He asked,
               “Why did my sister die?” when she was so young,
               “Why did I take a soul?” when he was conscripted,
               “Why must there be cancer?” when the lumps appeared

They said to pray, “It is God’s will. We’re too small to know.”
               And he understood the truth
               at last
               because it was otherwise

He became, a man branded and shunned, yet free.
               He was still good, dutiful, kind,
               for the simple reason that it’s right
               because there is no other reason

Tomorrow he will dwell in the hearts of those who he touched.
               There can be no better man or moral,
               than he who loves for selfish joy,
               because he is, and will eternally be remembered as,

               A Good Man