Minutes ago . . .
I rode past them.
There they were all trussed up in Jehovah's harness like sled dogs pulling their taskmaster behind them.
**
I zipped down the road in biking shorts and T-shirt with a nice breeze in my face while they were trudging toward the Kingdom Hall door.
I was a blur of freedom and exhilaration. One of the children turned his head with eyes of wonder and a sad little smile. His fate was tight around his neck like a noose, even though it was only a shabby necktie.
*
Up ahead of me was the open highway and the freedom to choose this way or that way. My whim and my world all belong to me now.
The weary folks behind had just come back from knocking doors and imagining themselves agents of rescue. The tread wear in their expression was so evident to me. I too had walked in those shoes with sore feet, and little else to show for it.
The birds were chattering in the dazzling skies and a glint of sunlight decorated the spokes on my wheels as I dashed away.
___________________
Life is mine now.
Not like those trapped souls lumbering under the weight of monthly goals. No matter how hard they try they'll never have their heart's desire. It is a dark illusion earned by the death of billions.
*
I, on the other hand, see only the beauty in life now because . . .
I'm free to choose the goodness in man . . .
My eyes are open . . . at long last.
I'm turned outward to embrace whatever comes.
There are no limits. There are no taskmasters cracking that whip above my ears.
There is the splash of sun on the open highways and silken tufts of clouds like fluttering flags in a sea of blue skies.
*
I mutter under my breath, "Hey Jehovah--remember me? I'm the one who got away. Happy hunting!"
I laugh like a kid on a playground and shift into gear--away. . . away . . away . . . as Jehovah shakes His wringkled fist at me
in my rear view mirror . . .
