Red

A winter evening not long ago
Air crisp, ground covered in snow
A mob gathered in the square
Murmured anger filled the air
Many watched with hate filled eyes
Building mountains from their lies
Within the circle an innocent man
Trapped, condemned by the damned
He never fled, just stood his ground
Grabbed, jostled and thrown down
Leather boots broke fragile bones
A lucky kick fractured nose
Until, in great pain, he let out a cry
An anguished man, not ready to die
I forgive you brothers for what you’ve done
I have prayed for to the Son
Not amused, the crowd laughed and jeered
This will teach you stranger to come here
His face now was torn, bruised and bloody
He was cold, wet and muddy
They bruised a kidney tore out his hair
He laid still, hands clasped in their final prayer
Anger spent the mob went home
His body left cold and alone
No guilt was felt, only relief
His one sin was his own beliefs
He came to town to spread the word
No one cared for what they heard
So he died for their sins
A missed chance to begin again

And the snow turned red