In Dark of Night: a poem by Douglas J. Lanzo

image by Layers, on Pixabay, modified

Convicted by Christ’s Love

Based on the true story of a pastor in Tajikistan

They were taken out

in the dark of night,

wakened from sleep,

long after prayers, by men in masks

wearing green and black,

with rifle butts and angry stares.

They came to a field,

without light of moon,

where they were forced

to dig their graves.

After this,

they were made to kneel

upon damp earth,

their sweat in waves.

They felt cold knives

against their necks

as, eyes closed,

they awaited death.

Then a ghastly voice

cried, “One last chance!

Renounce your faith

or breathe last breaths!”

From silence rose

with sincerity,

“Jesus loves me,

so I love you!”

They felt knives tremble

and gloved grips loosen

before footsteps

ran into the blue.

____________________

Doug Lanzo is an award-winning Christian author and poet whose debut novel, 

‘The Year of the Bear,’ won the 2023 Ames Awards for Young Adult Books. His second book, ‘I Have Lived,’ was named American Book Fest 2024 Novella of the Year. Over

500 of Doug’s poems have been published

in 76 literary journals and 8 anthologies in

the U.S., Canada, Caribbean, England,

Wales, Austria, Mauritius, India, Japan, and Australia. He and his wife, their twin sons,

and a cat, pufferfish, and hermit crabs reside

in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and all but the pets enjoy nature, snorkeling, and basketball. His author website is: www.douglaslanzo.com

September 2025 issue