The Threat

Barabbas we can understand—
a bit unhinged, but we have planned

for that containable derangement,
just as in the kind estrangement

of Legion, as he styled himself,
by the grave edge of a lakeside shelf.

Aside from the price of swine, you see,
that madman was dependably

—well, mad. Our wars, our garrison
seemed peaceful by comparison.

The howling soothed us like a salve.
A distant, fully twisted valve,

he gave a vent to our frustrations
with scribes and priests, and with the nations.

It threatens our humanity,
this terrifying sanity.

—Bryce A. Taylor