I walked through the valley of the shadow of life
and in the sun I saw

A dog wand'ring in endless circles
            withering beneath the sun's cruel hand
            crying in the dry tongue of suffering

A snake crawling in rocky shade
                unknowing of others' plights
                thinking of only himself

A child eating of her own heart
              reveling in the bitter taste
              smiling through bloodied lips

A cactus standing high above
                watching through guarded eyes
                hiding what could save them all

I walked through the valley of the shadow of life
and in the sun I saw