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There once was a terrible drought
in the City of Angels
and with it came the knowledge
that if the city were to live
a source of water had to be found
so William Mulholland built an aqueduct
that stretched to the Owens Valley
and soon the cool clear water flowed
and he was a hero.
But it was often whispered
by some
that William had a ruthless
and prideful ambition
and felt nothing for others
or their rights.
Then one night
years later
a dam he’d built collapsed
and hundreds went to their deaths.
The grand jury claimed fault
with his design
and blamed William for all
which plunged him into illness
and depression
then death.
Half a century later it was discovered
that William Mulholland had been innocent
of all wrongdoing in the dam’s construction
or its collapse.
And oftentimes one’s life doesn’t play out
in black or white
but in shades of gray.
copyright 2004
David W.
Rushing |
