before the tornado

a moment more and then the sirens fail
you can't outrun the storm nor flee the sight
of all the things that hold the world upright

so much of justice we find is for sale
we must stay silent for our choice is slight
a moment more and then the sirens fail

this is no simple village fireside tale
for children's ears on a dark moonless night
we shoot the dog before it takes a bite
a moment more and then the sirens fail