Beware of Foxes
A full moon, a strange dream, a true crime
Night.
Moon light.
The sound of padded paws
On soft pale grass.
A skulk of foxes
Wagging their tails
Like friendly puppies
Coming out from the brush.
Could they be
Tame?
They are not smiling
They are merely
Showing their teeth.
There was a certain look
In their eyes
A gleam
Reminding me of someone
Somewhere.
I felt a shudder
Not knowing if to hide
Or run.
These are not
Neighborhood dogs,
I thought.
Definitely
Not domesticated.
Yet one of them
Put his paws on my shoulders
and licked my face.
They are not smiling
They are merely
Showing their teeth.
The gentle rabbi
Told me:
They represent people.
People!
Then I knew:
I had seen them in the office.
Beware of foxes
And those who believe
They are tame.
My doubts and suspicions
Proved true:
Power, money, prestige.
They stopped at nothing
To get what
They wanted.
Beware of foxes
And those who believe
They are tame.
I never planned to be
A whistleblower
The tarot cards dropped in my lap
And whistle loud and long
Was all I could do.
Investigations followed
Commissions
Testimonies and
Forced resignations.
How could it be?
The young ones asked.
We are nonprofit!
So many disheartened
Sad and disillusioned.
Doubtful if repairs
Can ever be
Made.
Beware of foxes
And those who believe
They are tame.
I honor the knights who came
Riding on white horses
Of truth.
Defenders of justice.
They ride now
And forevermore
Into the dark night
Protecting those who journey
Singing softly in the shadows
Beware of foxes
And those who believe
They are tame.
About the Creator
PK Colleran
I love words and their power to enrich our lives.
Editor of bilingual poetry collection Landscape of the Soul by Hipólito Sánchez, published by Cafh Foundation.
Translator of Living Consciously and Words Matter, by Jorge Waxemberg.
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Comments (3)
"They are not smiling They are merely Showing their teeth" This is such a powerful statement. Smiles are powerful and though they are mainly used to do good, there is always someone who will use that power to manipulate. Well done!
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Omg I can so relate to this poem right now within the workplace and I work for a non profit too. Well done!
Nicely done. Very good piece and a good lesson also.