The Flames of Our Future Let Out a Few Obligatory Puffs

We were warned

by Orwell, Bradbury,

and Atwood

We were exposed

by Morrison, Walker, 

and Baldwin

We were challenged

by Hurston, Vonnegut,

and Adichie

We marched on,

heedless to the warnings;

buried beneath 

our own greed

and hollow claims 

of righteousness

Twisted by the

tangled arms of corruption,

that realized burning books

becomes unnecessary

if you convince

the population

not to bother 

opening the covers

Written May 18, 2020