Crying Wolf

When a town is in peace

When worries have since ceased

When beasts are just from fables,

Told over the dinner table.

What happens then, when a child cries wolf?

Do the townsfolk take up arms? Do they try to search it out?

Some do, they might, but not enough to make things right

The child will be brushed off,

And subjected to their scoffs.

“The child’s just a liar.

The situation’s hardly dire.”

So when a sheep is found slaughtered

And fences are clawed to tatters.

They’ll blame it on the strong winds,

Or on the foolish child’s prank.

Again and again, they’ll repeat their decree:

“There is no wolf in sight,

Because there is no wolf to see.”

We cover our ears to steal a bell*

We cover our eyes to believe it’s night

We cover our hearts to believe we’re right

So when chaos ensues,

And the pack comes for you

All you can do, is stand there and watch:

When throats are torn, and blood is spilt,

the townsfolk shrill screaming,

replace their mocking jeering,

and the child continues to cry

In a fit of desperation:

“There are wolves! There are wolves!”

Can you say with utter confidence, that there really are no wolves?

Cover your eyes so that there are no beasts.

Cover your ears so that there are no screams.

Cover your screams with the blade of a knife,

And there will be no wolves to take your life.

So when the howling subdues and you shiver in fear

The wolves pull away, but danger remains near.

Do you ignore the shivering child,

who clutches a bloodied knife,

and once again say:

“We’re safe, we are safe.

Cover the past, there were no wolves.”