Dangerous Tales (Poetry)

There’s a teller of tales and a singer of songs
who weaves driftnets of words — casts spells upon
the ears of tired people grown desperate for dreams,
transports them to places no one has seen.

He offers them other worlds — isles of make-believe,
unrolls strange landscapes fantasy conceived,
brings to life each location, spreads magic and hones
vivid horizons he carved for his own.

His heroes do their daring deeds and right all wrongs —
princesses rescued, back where they belong,
and evil vanquished — every dragon fought and killed —
the victory won, true blood barely spilled.

And the teller decides who will live and who dies,
the wicked must perish — it’s no surprise
the good survive in stories and all turns out well —
justice prevails and the bad go to Hell.

But real life’s a grim saga with no guarantee
that the brave will conquer adversity,
while the news spreads its gossip — half-truths in disguise
stated as fact but, so often, near-lies.