Epiphany

(that’s all it takes)

Suddenly, the earth shook, and the veil lifted from their screened eyes. They saw themselves anew and were struck dumb in terror at what they had become.

Falling to their knees they bared their chests and begged for quick death from those they had made to suffer. But they were neither dispatched nor shunned.

And so, until the end of their days, they made themselves meek and walked among those who offered forgiveness. They learned the language of compassion. Servants thereafter to the old and poor, they drew water from the well and carried it. They laboured to harvest grain and to bake bread. Gathering the fruits of the earth they gave to all, and to themselves always last.

Despite their stained past, they found themselves treated well. They were reborn in love and died in peace among the wise.