Dennis Lambert - Scorpions

O full of scorpions is my mind.
-Macbeth

My Lord, we all have scorpions
that threaten:
scorpions of fear,
of neglect,
of abuse,
of regret

From shadows they come to sun themselves.
even upon joy's doorstep, sunny and warm.

They wait with curved tails,
for footfalls light and unsuspecting..

And they puncture blissful ignorance
with a special poison,

Dethroning
princes and peasants,
lovers and loners,
dreamers and thinkers.

and you,
who swung a sudden sword,
and spoke a noble word,
and adored a golden crown,

and me,
who only yesterday
danced in a sunny courtyard
to a fountain's music.

Dennis Lambert

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/scorpions/