Hush Child Poem by Robin Bennett

Naive child in cape of scarlet red-
the path is not as it seems
Basket in hand
skipping along to
Grandmother's house you go-
Everywhere they lurk
in the dark of night
waiting for you to falter
Hush child-
do you not hear
the howling of the wolves?


Blindly shielded by your hat-
vision distorted
Handmade treats you carry
plans to surprise
Grandmother today-
What an unwary trap
that lies in wait for you child
Quiet!
Do you not hear-
the howling of the wolves?

Credulous are you-
on this journey of yours
Trappings of evil
lurk at every corner
disguised-
yet in plain sight
Do you not see the
drug dealers
the kidnappers
the murderers-
Through the cloak of darkness
they spring forth
to work their dirty magic
Why do you not hear-
the howling of the wolves?

Immunity is not yours-
trappings befall us all
One misstep
and tragedy is at hand
Grandmother will now grieve
Young one-
such a gullible prize you are
You didn't listen-
To the howling of the wolves.