Retribution Poem by Albert Ahearn

The other day I overheard
Two woman's slanderous chatter
About another nameless soul
Who’s fortunate absence, thank god,
Spared her their injurious libel.
I thought to myself, if I had
A petty wish that would come true
I’d long for swift retribution
For malicious people like them
To receive involuntary
Volition at their own expense
By socking themselves in the face.
I wonder how many lost teeth
It would take to learn the lesson?

A lesson forsooth
Is oftentimes difficult:
Like losing a tooth