TWITCHING CURTAINS
by John T. Baker

Behind the twitching curtains of the world
Disparaging onlookers scan the scene
Outside, their banners circumspectly furled
Within their closets, dusty dry and clean.

They deprecate diversions deemed as vile,
Discrepancies self-righteously deplore;
They shrilly call for stern restrictions while
They cower back behind their barred front door.

Safeguarded from the peril of the street,
Contentiously they can but criticize;
Ensconced within their sheltered snug retreat,
They second-guess and smugly moralize,

Content to propagate hypocrisy
In barricaded anonymity.