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Twisted words Misleading lies Slipping out Like snakes in vines Such evil elegance Such poisonous poise Grasping you in captivity Enclosing you from reality Constricting you from liberty Numbing you for eternity
Roxie Elsberry's untitled poem is about the danger of deceit, and it builds its whole argument around one image: lies as snakes. The opening lines show words twisting and slipping out "like snakes in vines," so the lies seem hidden and natural-looking, almost part of the scenery until they strike.
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