Cunning
by Michelle Baldwin from Wilson High School
Published in the 2007-2008 WITS Anthology I Once Was Young and Strong
Every stick,
every stone,
every broken bone,
but what hurt the most
was the words.
Teasing and taunting,
the sly fox dawning,
shivers the sun from its fur.
The light that touches
almost everyone,
’cept to those who are blind from the “fun.”
The golden savior
steps out of the sky, burning,
to the people who worship below.
Crumble the trees, the buildings,
the sky.
A bright-eyed snicker,
all faces in tow.
The spreading inferno
crosses the land
each step the sound of the wind.
A trail of infected
hope and small chance.
Too soon to begin,
that it ends.
The beast bears its teeth,
its tongue, and its claws.
There’s one thing left to give,
a long pause.
Its face has left,
another change
and the smirk of evil appears.
Its tongue takes all air,
bringing shrill shrieks to my ears.
I have one thing to say,
and please,
pay much attention.
I know ONE thing
that relieves mind tension.
Every stick,
every stone,
every broken bone,
but what hurt the most
was the words.
