by Douglas J. Lanzo
Copyright 2025
First published in Spirit Fire Review (September, 2025)
Based on the true story of a pastor in Tajikistan
They were taken out
in the dark of night,
wakened from sleep,
long after prayers, by men in masks
wearing green and black,
with rifle butts and angry stares.
They came to a field,
without light of moon,
where they were forced
to dig their graves.
After this,
they were made to kneel
upon damp earth,
their sweat in waves.
They felt cold knives
against their necks
as, eyes closed,
they awaited death.
Then a ghastly voice
cried, “One last chance!
Renounce your faith
or breathe last breaths!”
From silence rose
with sincerity,
“Jesus loves me,
so I love you!”
They felt knives tremble
and gloved grips loosen
before footsteps
ran into the blue.