Bait's Silence

The hook hides deep in borrowed praise,
Soft mouths rush fast toward the gleam.
A Worm just twists through measured days,
While hunger crowns a reckless dream.

Sharp currents pull through human need,
Quick bargains stain the open hand.
Desire outruns cautious creed,
And pride forgets where dangers stand.

No river grants a soul excuse,
For choosing bait above clear sense.
Temptation offers instant use;
Wise judgment builds a strong defense.

The worm did not invent the snare,
Nor force the fish to chase the thread.
Each creature meets the water bare
And answers where its impulse led.

Still, mercy lives beside the blame,
Since weakness marks the human frame.
A patient mind can cool the flame
Before regret carves in its name.

So guard the heart from urgent need,
And test what glitters in the stream.
False comfort grows from hurried greed;
Clear thought preserves the truest dream.