Venom and Ice Warning

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 Poets and Storytellers United 
Friday Writings #227 

...be inspired by one of the following quotes (or any quote) from The Princess Bride...

I chose two quotes, shown in italics.

Detail of a postcard showing a Diamond Back Rattlesnake

VENOM


Why waste your venom on me​?

I'm much too large to eat,

too full of fat.


✹  ✹  ✹  ✹  ✹  ✹  ✹  ✹  ✹  ✹  ✹  ✹


ICE WARNING


Not so very long ago,

we kept our distance from those unmasked.


Now, the world's been flipped,

turned upside down.


Words to the wise

in these unwise times,


People in masks cannot be trusted.


©2026 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved  


Comments

  1. Penelope NotesMay 15, 2026 at 7:20 AM

    You express well how this world is not short on irony, particularly now during THESE troubling times.

    ReplyDelete
  2. HelenMay 15, 2026 at 9:11 AM

    We humans wear many masks, many disguises don't we? Your poem resonates deeply.

    ReplyDelete
  3. MarjaMay 15, 2026 at 1:48 PM

    A very clever word play by making masks a symbol of times

    ReplyDelete
  4. Rosemary Nissen-WadeMay 15, 2026 at 7:24 PM

    Unwise, upside-down times indeed! Your succinct expression and use of particular quotes is very apt.

    ReplyDelete
  5. kaykualaMay 16, 2026 at 4:09 AM

    People in masks cannot be trusted.

    Very good close Lisa! If a person does not open up no reason to believe in their sincerity. We are the ones who are likely to suffer in time. Great words, love it!

    Hank

    ReplyDelete
  6. RommyMay 16, 2026 at 3:04 PM

    A very dark irony indeed. I can only hope these times will pass soon.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousMay 17, 2026 at 9:45 AM

    oh dear said the fly to the spider... we are all wearing masks .... some out in the open others who lie in wait and some who are truly hiding for their own reasons.... interesting perspective

    ReplyDelete
  8. purplepeninportland.comMay 22, 2026 at 5:41 PM

    Everyone wears a partial mask in the outside world, but some wear it intentionally. Good one, Lisa!

    ReplyDelete

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