few exist as piteous
as those swayed
by the plague of hearsay
regaled by despiteous
imposters desperate entreaties
cunningly devised
in ways that play
to every preconception
disarming unwitting parties
of their competent discretion
unbeknownst to whom
would be distraught
with shame by such imprudence
if they could thus comprehend
the gravity of their congruence
sadly, were they to be disavowed
of their misapprehension
consciously their mind would disallow
truth through dissociation
as cognitive dissonance
would pardon their disreputation
safe from any consequence
befitting of their resignation
wont are we as humans
to surrender our hallowed intentions
in spite of our knowing better
still, we submit without question
rather than making the effort
to consider all positions
we would sooner spurn the victim
guilty by their word’s omission
stayed by shame of prohibition
knowing what we dare not mention
so it is that we condemn
those innocent to false convictions
meanwhile, those responsible
for inciting such accusations
revel in the glory
misappropriated by deception
left without a moral
that would suit such an affront to ethics
such truths will perpetuate
for humankind is that pathetic
[image credit: George Cruikshank]
Max, or Not 