Casting Stones ...

Casting Stones …

He slips along the shadows down the alley in the back.
The teenage boy looks cautiously around.
He’s brought along a crowbar and a hammer in his sack.
He slides along and does not make a sound.

He stops beside the doorway and he looks both left and right;
He takes a breath, then starts to pry the door.
He hears a sound and stops … but there is no one else in sight.
He pops the lock and steps inside the store.

--- burglary is a crime ---

She finishes her entries and she glances at the clock.
It’s time to close the business for the day.
She steps outside and swiftly she looks up and down the block.
Another day of work for meager pay.

She steps inside; she bolts the door and pulls down every shade.
It’s time to count the cash, the bucks, the dough.
She only needs a small “advance” to last ‘till she gets paid,
She takes it, sighs and hopes they’ll never know.

--- embezzlement is a crime ---

The school day is now over and the kids are heading out.
He looks to find his pencil on the floor.
His project will need crayons and some other stuff, no doubt.
He packs his homework, walking to the door.

He wanders through the shop and takes an item from the rack.
He checks the price, then holds it in his hand.
He hesitates and looks around, then slides it in his pack.
He knows it’s wrong, but hopes they’ll understand.

--- shoplifting is a crime ---

These three are criminals, according to our rules and laws,
Committing crimes against both God and man.
But each one has a reason to explain these mortal flaws
Defending how their life of crime began.

The mother of the teenage boy has cancer, near her end.
He wanted something for her final meal.
No money and he had no one, on whom he could depend,
He felt he had no choice, except to steal.

The single mom is scraping by; she has two kids to feed.
Her ex again skipped child support this week.
She only planned to “borrow” it, just for this time of need.
Without it, prospects for the month were bleak.

The shoplifter is just a child who needed things for school.
His dad had lost his job and money’s tight.
His mom pretends it’s all okay, but this boy’s not a fool.
He hopes no one is mad at him tonight.

We all face different problems, but we try to struggle through.
Sometimes sheer desperation yields the way.
So, are they criminals? Or is our culture’s view untrue?
Is punishment the way to make them pay?

We might not judge as harshly if we stood there in their shoes.
For there, but for the grace of God, we go.
We should not rush at casting stones; we have too much to lose.
As sinners, should we be allowed to throw?



14-10-14-10
abab