The Poisoner

Once upon a time there was a man 

unsurpassed for blather and blarney 

who approached crowds slowly, 

not shaking hands but pointing 

his slow progress just a prelude

to innocuous remarks, at first, 

said in a quiet conspiratorial way, 

said slowly with theatrical timing,

as his reptilian brain felt out the audience 

with flicked out phrases that enticed a reaction 

encouraging collusion from the hypnotized crowd

starting to shuffle emotionally closer to 

his voice that is an instrument that whines saw-like

anesthetizing nerves opening veins

before dripping in poison, 

words with consequences, 

that would bring down the Republic.

Richard M Russell  Dick Russell

                            2023