The angry man with nothing left to lose
Is far the gravest threat to other men.
The hapless who bear their fortunes, heart unbruised
With sullen hatred, hatch no evil plan.
Likewise, the angry man who has some stock
Of hope or love or vision in this life.
He'll play no martyr, though the seething shock
Of outrage summons him to war and strife.
But the man who's given up on finer things:
The loveless, joyless wretch who's full of wrath—
This man will dare to hurl himself at kings.
This man will consecrate his life to death.
The locust ranks of brute destruction swell
With convict spirits maddened by their hell.
George Chadderdon © 2002