- He clasped the coal, still glowing red, from off his wooden floor
- And placed it back within the flame. A knock was at his door.
- T’was dark outside and very late, and the snow fell thick and hard.
- He knew not of a single soul who would trek across his yard.
- He cautiously stood from his knees and crept across the room.
- Unsure who waited there outside beneath the crescent moon.
- His hand reached out, then paused a bit, then grabbed the metal latch.
- Pulling down, familiar creaks, and then the lock did catch.
- Before his face stood weary thin, a man so dark and frail.
- His bony hands, chapped and raw, gripped the iron rail.
- His clothes were thin, ripped and worn. No hat was on his head.
- T’was in his hand, upside down, a dark and dirty red.
- His eyes looked back, dark and wide, and shadowed from the light.
- His hair was long and full of knots and pathetic to the sight.
- His bearded chin began to quake, and parched lips began to part.
- His words were short and almost dead, but shot straight to the heart.
- He brought him in and sat him down upon a wooden chest.
- The man obliged, moving slow, grateful for the rest.
- The stranger’s boots were taken off to dry beside the fire.
- His feet were bare, no socks in sight, and sore and wet and tired.
- A blanket fell, thick and dry, upon his crooked back.
- A ceramic tub soaked his feet, misshapen and quite cracked.
- Within a moment, a platter sat upon his feeble lap.
- With bread and cheese, an apple too, and water from the tap.
- When he was done, he was led across the narrow hall.
- To a spacious room, with a double bed, and a mirror on the wall.
- The mattress firm, the blankets heavy, laid well upon himself.
- And as he closed his heavy eyes, he glanced toward a shelf.
- When the host awoke that morn and rose from off the floor
- He saw the boots were now long gone and his guest was too no more.
- The bed was made, the covers tight, and a book lay there on top.
- He lifted it, glanced the page and then his eyes did stop.
- He saw the words from long ago describe what he had done.
- He saw a man in need of care and brought him in his home.
- And now the words he read just then caused guilt and pain, regret.
- For he had paused and questioned why to help this stranger yet.
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