Smoke

Armed with wisdom and a set of rules, The knowledge, the moment and the tools, An act of consequence ignored, Had a price, and the fire soared, Did the smoke rise, or was it always there? A whisper first, now a weight to bear. A small ember with unlimited fuel, Diminished the clever down to a fool. A short-sighted fool turned a blind eye, So benighted, the fire kissed the sky. This inferno still towers and bellows, For he didn’t choke it before it rose. Better an early tact to control the flame, Than a late act to shift the blame. Now years of neglect play out in his head, As ignorance builds up a deep dread, Rearing every night, when he lies in bed, A thought, "What led to this path he treads?" Did the smoke rise, or was it always there? A whisper first, now a weight to bear. Did the smoke rise... or was it always there? A whisper first... now a weight to bear.