Decimation

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 Poets and Storytellers United

Friday Writings #200: 

"...write something about, or including, the number 10. And/or write a 10-line poem."

I have written a 10-line poem using the word decimate.

Decimate: to destroy, to remove one tenth

from the Latin decimus, meaning ten

image source 

Rebellious ones in the Legions of Rome,

be afraid.

Decimation is upon you for your cowardice.

Gather by tens for judgment,

shake in fear.

Pick your stone, and beg Fortuna her wheel pass you by.

Her fortune is random, the odds in your favor.

Spare you she may,

yet nine throw the stones, nine raise their clubs.

Shared guilt, a lesson in obedience.

©2025 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved  

Comments

  1. MarjaOctober 24, 2025 at 12:44 PM

    Well written The control of the rebellious ones and the stones are still thrown

    ReplyDelete

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