Prisoners On The Page Poem by Roger Gerald Hicks

These poems give their titles
and line count,
but in no other way
will they cooperate-

like cops obeying
the code of silence
or penned gangsters
choosing solitary
rather than squealing
on a bully.

Heroes these poems aren't.
None would jump
on a grenade,
hopeful of the Medal of Honor.

These poems are like prisoners
with legs nailed to poles
so they won't run away.

Threaten them and they
become morose.
Play with them
and they'll spill
everything.