These words are insects,
a class below
the kingdom of Mammalia,
troublesome gnats.

One word alone is no threat,
but a swarm of syllables
abuzz with rumor leaves welts
on friable egos, stings
the body politic, an itch
we scratch till we're raw.

Swatting and swearing
gets us no relief. I want
a flyswatter big enough
to decimate a plague of lies.