Paragons of Frankness

"All cruel people describe themselves as paragons of frankness.”
~Tennessee Williams

Praise be to frankness, except when there’s lip;
arrogance becomes one cruel agenda.
Rabid are cruel people wielding saber,
almost as if they’re out to lance a flea.
Give me directness—hold off on the sting.
Oh, yes, cruel people wander to and fro,
negating all virtue God has given;
some still dismiss it all as mere frankness.

Old are excuses—I think they should go.
Find middle finger, then flip someone off.
(Forgive me if I take the time to scoff.)
Reason lifts its head and won’t meander
away from right to idle by the sea.
No, it looks mean in the eye, once again,
keeps trying to de-barb the sharpened hook.
Nice people can be frank and still not sin;
enough of the excuses, everywhere.
So cruel cannot be given candid pass:
some quotes describe those folks who are an ass.

19 Lines
Double Acrostic:
“Paragons of Frankness”
Rhythm: 10
Writer’s Cramp
10-25-17