Sunday, February 01, 2026

Poetry Sunday


A warning, however early, is only useful if you pay attention to it.

The Problem with Early Warnings
by Charles Rafferty


People don't like to leave a party 
unless the house is actually 
on fire. Even then, if the flames 
are far enough away 
to be pretty, they'll finish 
their drink, take one more pass 
at the hors d'oeuvres.
How things happen has always been 
unclear. Hurricanes begin 
in a place where no one lives.
Agents of the government start 
to wear masks. Fascism is 
a word my neighbors won't use 
yet. They are following
the law, they say, and the sirens 
are coming for someone else.

Have a good day and pay attention. Those sirens are getting closer.

More thoughts coming.

Bilbo