by IRENE FOWLER, Contributor

“In the event of a threat to the territorial integrity of our country
and to defend Russia and our people, we will certainly make use
of all weapon systems available to us. This is not a bluff.”
– Vladimir Putin

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“Monsters exist, but they are too few in number to be truly dangerous.
More dangerous are the common men, the functionaries ready
to believe and to act without asking questions.”
– Primo Levi

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“That’s the beautiful thing about innocence;
even monsters have a pocketful of childhood
memories with which to seek comfort …”
– Dave Matthes

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To read Irene’s new poem “Unhalloween Monsters” click:

Unhalloween Monsters

by Irene Fowler –

The deranged, rushing barbarians rattle the gate
Hopefully, happily, the watchers hasten; though the hour is nigh late
To undo the looming, frightful cosmic fate
Thus, repel the horde, perilously pressing at an alarming rate.

**

Masters of chaos, lovers of ruin, appearing in myriad guises
Comely countenances, aptly able to terror, horror and evil, conceal and disguise
Seductive, mellifluous, words equate to Orwellian doublespeak
Cruel, cold hearts drain all humanity from the pliable-weak.

**

Velvet gloves stroking man’s base and fearful instincts
Whilst, iron dragnets spread over far oceans and near precincts
Unhallowed plunder, mayhem and mass murder, on their depraved minds
Pied pipers to the agitated, dejected and blind.

**

Sinister, unhalloween monsters, dole out poison-laced candy
Whoppers, blow pops, airheads. laffy taffy, smarties, snickers and good&plenty
Sweet nothings, to meet every taste and flavour of ignorant conceit
Brightly coloured foil and paper wrapping, glossing deadly deceit.

**

Fiendly smiles, mask the villainy behind the pleasantries
Costuming of grim reapers, skeletons, evil clowns, scarecrows, werewolves,
                                                                                       vampires and zombies
Mirror their true inner nature and noxious creed
Unhalloween monsters; unrestrained, unrepentant and unredeemed.

**

© 2022 by Irene Fowler