After

After we have lived this life that we continually choose to make, in spite of so much good advice

After all those choices, given in love – have been snatched by broken hands and thrown in Wisdom’s face – and Wisdom, being what She Is, turned them around and used them for our good

After pride and envy and greed and every other destructive thing have finally shown themselves for what they really are

After the last hiding place of every evil motive has been revealed by the acts of all the players in this game of life and death

After lies told have travelled far enough to reach the place from where they first were born

After we have journeyed through arid deserts and scorched our feet on the smoking shards of every broken promise

After we have paid the price – the debts of those we never knew…