The Meaning of Danger

you can cut short the thorns
and harbor the leaves;
for they may blind
whomever they please

you can rip off the icicles
and melt them with salt;
for many a car crash
would be saved
from their fault

I could cut all the trees
and bind the wolf's jaw
after all, they are dangerous
could bite or could fall

we could heat the Arctic
drain seas of water
after all
drowning and freezing
are just two ways of slaughter

you could cut everything
down to the stem
and have danger fall
to a minimum
but what of life
of fall, and of spring?
the beauty could never
return, not again

so cut all your trees;
watch your land turn to dust
and kill the meaning of danger
but I would prefer
to live and to die
in this trap of mysterious wonder