Burn

Orange and yellow flicker on youthful faces
standing like statues before growing flames
hands and faces stained black with blissful ignorance

Good children.
Hush children, hush.

Throw another in the fire, watch the pages consumed
listen to the hiss, like a serpent
Don’t read the words, don’t eat the apple

Bad books.
Burn, books, burn.

Close your eyes, cover your ears
Find comfort in the chains
Don’t let them hear your thoughts.

Good follower.
Be still follower, be still.

He steps forward from the crowd
Why does he shout about love and hope?
He desires hate and pain.
Only the fire can rid him of impurities

Bad man.
hear his screams
Burn thinker, burn.