Tools Of Power

Applause
for a calm minister
who steps down
from her pulpit
and walks out
of the church
into the street
with only a banner
for a shield.

Kudos
for a wan doctor
who refuses
to treat a symptom any longer
and pickes up a gun,
thinking all the while
“first do no harm.”

Reverence
for a frightened cop
and a scared firefighter
lighting the wicks
on bottles of gasoline
which are then tossed
into the centers of
station
and firehouse.

Shouts for
a resigned brigade
who refuse to leave
their barracks
to respond
to all of these
when ordered.

You say
you want
a revolution? Remember
that it often comes
only when at last
the tools of power
turn upon power.