Shifting sand dunes

An angelic whisper
cautions me to fight with care
and promises forgiveness is best
when sinners have succumbed
to the devil’s promises
time and time again
as they sift through Arabian sands
each grain -
a crime left unpunished
a sin left unpardoned -
evading the hold of their fists
faster as they get tighter
till they leave empty handed
in search of mirages of fulfillment
finding themselves no more closer to contentment
than the ever-shifting shape of the dunes

Then somewhere in the depths of the frosty night
will come the angel to whisper
Mercy is only for the merciful
Forgiveness only for those that forgive
and I rush to cast aside lingering thoughts of hesitation
and race into the sunrise
praying with birds that never knew of shifting sand dunes