The Alignment of Fates

The locals in the mining town suspected his intent

They aimed their sidearms at the stranger everywhere he went

But one thing or another made them hesitate to shoot

He fed the poor, relieved the dying, saved the destitute

He advocated kindness and declared all fates align

And so it was, but then we heard a rumbling in the mine.

We tried to mount a rescue but it wasn’t any use

Escaping from monotony we couldn’t turn him loose

It’s long past time when we could tell who wanted him undone

We held his head up roughly and returned him to the sun

Happy were the blessed with their water turned to wine

Their revels were disrupted by a rumbling in the mine.

We sheltered in the cloak room where his garments still are kept

Brave singing could be overheard, and some among us wept

No virtual reminders could articulate your gift

All languages were scrambled and all boats were set adrift

We measured out the wisdom, sure our fates would soon entwine

But as the sermon closed we heard a rumbling in the mine.

I forgot to compliment you on the wealth of your disguise

And “Let It Snow” was special pleading, a cappella-wise

Your frosty tale inspired me to update anthems past

I would have posed another but was not up to the task

So take this slight memento and co-mingle it with thine

A home, a vivid memory, a rumbling in the mine.