Be Cautious... Poem by RIC BASTASA

all those that surround us
are arms
poised to embrace us
yet not all are true
though warm

some are
there to take some parts of you
and not return them
making you feel so incomplete
and incompetent

and when you finally give up
those arms set you aside
like you are
a leper
still wanting the cure

the message is clear
you must also learn to choose
which arms are
snakes assuming the shapes
of fingers
learn somehow
to hide distrust
be not mislead
into the vast ocean
of despair

put your arms around
your shoulder
let your palms feel
the truths
even still at the surface
of disbelief