Burn It Down Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

If you don't let me have my way,
I will just burn down the house.

'Go ahead.'

But...
Aren't you afraid,
That will make 'you' look bad?

'It's YOUR house.
I'm not your 'nanny'.
I've been hired to put things in order.
I didn't come here,
To dance around your threats.
Burn it down.'

What about the neighbors?
What about our friends?
What about those who come to visit us?
And our greatness we've long hyped,
To protect and defend.

'It's YOUR house.
If that's the change you want,
With an effectiveness you wish...
Here...
Take these explosives!
Get it done and get it over with.
And don't say,
I was not willing to negotiate,
To speed your wishes.'