Lay Down

Lay down means one thing

when you say it to a child

about to hear a story

or to a dog

before she gets a treat.

Then again, lay down

means something else

when done by a friend

to coax you from you cave

to share your secret.

Lay down to find air

in the smoke choked room

to lead people out

of the inferno

is the do or die spirit.

Lay down your life for a friend

is compassionate

to lay down your life

for a stranger

is God’s love incarnate.