Purveyors’ words of evil don’t go away
on the most sunny day.

Not blotted by beauty
or love in abundance.

Like fungus in damp places
always come back.

Hide in the spaces
between happy thoughts.

Waiting to harness
your mind when at rest.

Calmed with your respite
you must be re-armed

to battle the black deeds
until your life ends.

-Sue Neufarth Howard