Villains Can Have Pleasant Faces

A Poem

Photo by Sandra Seitamaa on Unsplash

oh, beware the hunter
who smiles at you
while holding a knife
close at hand, ready to aim

raise your hands
and bow your head
if you wish to see
the other side of tomorrow

that’s what they teach us —
“play the prey, just this once” —
but do you think it wise
when they have all the power?

coins go a-tumblin’
from slick hands
known to murder
from barest of threats

oh, do take care —
walk softly,
and do not stare —
oh, do not even dare

twine your hands together,
and kneel as if for prayer —
because there’s no guarantee
you won’t be next

you can call them
monsters in human skin,
but no one will believe you
because they’ve fooled so many