Sunday Poem: ‘This Way Out’

 

Ontario replaces Exit signs in

malls, public places,

for the benefit of newcomers

who can’t read

English.

 

The new design

shows a little green man

running.

 

By certain conventions,

this could mean

“Aliens go this way”,

which some newcomers

might consider

offensive.

 

But that’s the least of their concerns.

 

As they rush to safety,

they’ll stop in front of a closed door

with a sign that says:

EMERGENCY EXIT ONLY.

SECURITY ALARM WILL SOUND

IF DOOR IS OPENED.

 

By Shai Ben-Shalom

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