During the Visit

During the visit.

She said she was guilty and the only way forward
was take a stand and admit to the crime

We said we were all guilty. If she was guilty,
then so were we.

Someone asked what the crime was.

We said it does not matter. We will stand by her.

Someone said that it would dishonest to admit guilt for an unknown crime. We must always guard the truth.

We said our admission to the crime was not a matter of ethics. Our solidarity is at the issue. If she says she is guilty, then we are all guilty.

She said that her crime was not one of violence. Rather it was one of a constant nature. A continuous crime. A daily crime.

We contemplated this for a moment.

She said, my crime is my way of life. I am a destructive force slowly killing off the beasts and birds, drowning the fish in rubbish, blasting the air with poisonous gases. I admit to the crime.

We said that we did too.

What else could we say?

She said she appreciated our support.

We said it was the least we could do.

She said that she was guilty as charged and awaited judgement. She felt better for it.

We said that with our admission to the crime, a cloud had lifted, a burden had fallen to the floor.

A clock chimed and we moved off into the next room.