...the harbinger of death.

If a man is aware and declares

that by what he is saying

he appears to be making a fool of himself

he is judging himself by the reactions 

of others and not by what he is saying.

What he is saying is a truth

but difficult pill to swallow

the hearers would rather

call him a fool or worse

than suffer the indignity of truth.

Truth, to the wilfully ignorant

is a painful and distressing arrow

once they have smarted

at the sting they avoid 

further contact with even the thought.

Truth in matters of law

of reasonable, rational behaviour 

and necessary obedience

is frowned upon and the messenger

despised more than the harbinger of death.