The Tinted Glass

He walked home one starry night under wind calm and moon bright. Passing over the town square he felt the coolness in the air. Returning home from blood and war his limbs were strong but his heart sore. His wife and children brought him cheer in a world consumed by the great fear. The fear that clouds thought and ruins dreams. It brings only horror, lies and screams. The man likened it to a tinted glass which blots out the light which wishes to pass. It did not allow hope, only despair. It did not allow love or any care. It looked to the outside, never in. It is man's great failure and great sin. As he walked he came by a home where two women sat, seated alone. He called out, and said they were fine, not at all rude or out of line. But out the door ran several men, whose pale skin was flushed with gin. They accused him of insult and being crass but they each peered through the tinted glass. They beat him with clubs mercilessly with darkened eyes full of awful glee. His body broken, his last breath gasped "Oh the horror of the looking glass!" The officers arrived as light came and surmised as who was to blame. The white murderers went to the local court, while the black man went its final sort. They all received the verdict they sought and each reward was heavily bought. One was a bill of dollars and gain, the other price was blood and pain. As the men went home the victim entered the sky to seek answers from God, the Lord on High. "God what will become of those men of pale tone when they must appear before your throne?" "The measure they give is what they receive, from my presence they will be forced to leave. For they will learn when hope is passed I too will peer through the tinted glass.