Public Warning

November PAD Challenge Day 14: write a deadly and dangerous poem http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/poetic-asides/poetry-prompts/2011-november-pad-chapbook-challenge-day-14

Public Warning

Take my word for it:
poets are dangerous people.
With a few simple words can
change face of reality, take it to
light, or even dark, forbidden places.

Without fair warning, using no
more than a twisted turn line,
might kidnap heart and mind,
never thinking to leave
a ransom note.

Choke up an innocent unknown
bystander one moment, and bring
another to her knees, or might relieve
deadly calm of daily doldrums.

Once thought to be milksops and pansies,
can approach with deadly force,
or silence of a SWAT team: weapons
at the ready. Knowing no allegiance
except to their craft, can set
established theories adrift on raft
constructed of nothing more than
metaphor, creating mayhem deftly
using loosely slung syllables.

There are those who might
quibble with this proffered opinion,
but take my word for it:
poets are very dangerous
people.

Elizabeth Crawford  11/14/11