The Courage To Be Human Poem by RIC BASTASA

have caution
and this is another irony
have caution about what we must say
in whispers
in baited breaths
so the gods may not be offended
so we shall not be hit with their lightning rods
reducing us all
into ashes

it is enough
this cautioning is over
i shall confront the gods and demigods
about this and that
this that emaciates me
that which
makes a scarecrow of me
that which makes nothing of men
but hays and rags
and rotten eggs
and dusty fields.