A Parable

There once was a man who lived with confidence—
his résumé was filled with active tense accomplishment,
he stood broad and strong like a bridge
over the raging river of a world below him.
The carrier of important loads—
A man of progressive ideas;
welcoming the tribe of the past
into the fraternity of the future.

He would say, Come, pay the toll:
you, with things to say,
you, with important loads to carry,
you, who are strong and motivated—
what I give is a firm road to travel!

But hear this—
you, with dignity found in your branding,
your politics, your biases,
your education, your resources,
your confidence, your credibility—
I will ask for the credentials of the heart.
I am the ferryman across the raging river.
I take no toll, other than your self,
and offer rest.