Orland Evangelical Free Church | The Man In the Mist

The door closes behind the man

where he begins on the night's street.

With café's music muted and friendship like a deck

parted for the hands dealt in solitude,

he walks, and the mist wraps his sight around him,

gives him only breath and foot steps.

No world reveals save what he makes

of grey on black, suspicion and shadow.

Sudden clarity round a corner,

street light illumines sidewalk and a bench.

A stranger stands and watches.

The man stops -- fear questions intention --

and grabs his wrist to remember there is time.

He wants to move on

but the man and the stranger stare.

He lingers with a word in his mouth

he is yet unable to speak.