Strange Man

I went for a walk today, down by the pond

I met a strange man, and of me he seemed rather fond

I tried to speak with him, but all he could do was stare

I looked around

He made no sound

His expression grew afraid

I stepped closer

He stepped closer

Until we stood face to face

His mouth would move but made no sound

“Perhaps you’d feel better on solid ground”

His eyes lit up

He seemed to know:

Into the water, I should go

And though I could not see nor hear

I knew that he overcame his fear

The water was too cold for me

But I knew my actions had set him free

That strange man

Surely now, he had gone to land

(Strange Man was first published in You, Man, Emotion)