Ward

By Cliff Lake

 

Ward

 

They are in the high places,

And assume seats of power.

See their genial faces,

While demanding that you cower.

 

The law that they would retrofit,

So self-complimentary.

Only they may benefit:

Their final philosophy.

 

Beware these times,

For trickery abounds,

And evil way and petty grievance

Are too easily found.

Beware these days,

For falsity is prized,

And serpents and scorpions

Are found in human guise.

 

Barricaded behind blast doors,

Their minions played as their pawns,

Hands still unwashed from bloody chores,

Do not say that you weren’t warned.

 

General populace ignored:

Such inconveniences.

Watch the rule of might restored:

Intended consequences.

 

Beware these times,

For trickery abounds,

And evil way and petty grievance

Are too easily found.

Beware these days,

For falsity is prized,

And serpents and scorpions

Are found in human guise.

 

You begged him speak what he spake:

Paraded himself as the snake.

You begged speak lie after lie,

You thought he lied to some other guy.

Only now do you see

What it is you have done,

Only now do you see:

He’s been laughing at you since day one.

 

Upright reptiles so venomous,

Every day more transparent.

Wool-clothed wolves insidious,

Every day more apparent.

 

Now they slither in places high,

Now they would have you grovel low.

Now they will not hear your cries,

Now they would you unlearn all you know.

 

Beware these times,

For trickery abounds,

And evil way and petty grievance

Are too easily found.

Beware these days,

For falsity is prized,

And serpents and scorpions

Are found in human guise.

 

You begged him speak what he spake:

Paraded himself as the snake.

You begged speak lie after lie,

You thought he lied to some other guy.

Only now do you see

What it is you have done,

Only now do you see:

He’s been laughing at you since day one.

 

Beware these times,

For trickery abounds,

And evil way and petty grievance

Are too easily found.

Beware these days,

For falsity is prized,

And serpents and scorpions

Are found in human guise.

 

Cliff Lake 7/13/2025

Copyright © Clifford Lake 2025

Location: Washington, DC, USA

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