Jim Foley

Gentle visitors, I had some surgery last Wednesday and, as I they were prepping me, I saw the story of James Foley on the screen.  May he rest in peace.

The day that the surgeon took up his lance
And laid it with care cross my throat,
Was the day the slayer unsheathed his knife
And took the life of Jim Foley.

The image of him who went to his death
Was sealed as I breathed the ether:
He was kneeling, impassive, bound and shorn --
A lion and lamb, Jim Foley.

Nothing surpasses the art of a man
Who heals with a steely edge,
And nothing excuses the heart of the man
Who took the life of Jim Foley.

Nothing forgives and nothing redeems and
Nothing can make the act holy --
But, a god of life and a salving touch
And the soul of dear Jim Foley.

Comments

[Palinurus]

Thanks for this good verse. Poor Jim. Maybe his death will waken some of the thus-far-"tolerant" (read "cowardly") powerful.