Normative Signs: The Poetry of "Ought"

Thanks to Paul Gorbould for this one.

It’s a plaque by the “eternal flame” in the Peace Garden outside Toronto’s City Hall. As Paul points out, it’s a safety warning “in classy, timeless brass.”

Paul goes on to say: “What I find striking is the decision to include the adjective. Is an ‘eternal’ flame more dangerous than a ‘normal’ flame? Practically speaking, it’s probably less dangerous — it has always been there and always will be. At least it’s predictable.”