die

He didn’t believe in the Holy One;
or the one who fell from grace.
He had to live an unsoulful life,
or a painful death he would face.

He tried to ease the pain,
but there was no reason left to live.
He walked alone in the cold rain,
hoping his life would give.

He lost all hope.
He lost all faith.
He lost all feeling.
Then he lost his life.

She made a little shadow-hidden grave,
The day Faith died;
Therein she laid it, heard the clod’s sick fall,
And smiled aside-
“If less I ask,” tear-blind, she mocked, “I may be less denied.

She set a rose to blossom in her hair,
The day Faith died-
“Now glad” she said, “and free at last I go,
and life is wide.”
But through long nights she stared into the dark,
And knew she lied.