Beware The Weaponized Tale (2025) Poem by Morgan Balanaser

Stories can both enlighten, and delight

They can take our minds to greener pastures through snowy days, and stormy nights!

But beware the weaponized tale

Many truths, these strive to assail

And leave the public beguiled by

A bunch of half-truths, and outright lies!


They can come from any source

And always serve to limit discourse

By planting ideas in people's minds

Letting them think its by chance - not design


They can come in newspapers, television, radio, or online

They can come from people with whom you diverge, or align

They can be perpetuated by the misled, malicious, and blind

They can be spread solo, by government, or private enterprise

They can resort to overt claim, or subtle surmise

They can be spun in many ways

By unexpected oration, or common phrase

So when you listen, watch, or read

Do not allow narratives to plant dishonest seeds

Into your mind

Or you may find

Yourself sinking into a web of lies