We are so sure of our earthly domination
that we act paternally, encouraging a new imperialism
our narcissism driving us to establish
new agencies, new departments
conservation efforts, population controls
We spend our days analyzing them, not us
sure that animals are the ones in the dark, not us but –
Caterpillars so easily navigate adolescence,
finding their way out of darkened jails
emerging as monarchs of the air.
Why do we look down on them
when we feel lost for years
and emerge awkward adults?
Birds so confidently catch
swift currents and soar south
leaving the familiar behind
and heading toward distant lands.
Why do we look down on them
while we're so unable to let go?
Bees escape the constraints of a career
each one is an architect constructing
golden combs of honey-drenched hexagons
each one, a gardener carefully tending
flowers into bursting bloom
each one, a soldier stinging in sacrifice
for the greater good
Why do we look down on them
while we force ourselves to one role, one job, one experience and one set life?
How do we know what's best for animals
when the things they know so confidently
mire us in uncertainty?
Yes, we will establish agencies and patronize animals
we will look at our expanded world, our advancements, our great intellect
and we will keep ignoring perhaps
why our fellow beings chose a different type of existence.
I liked how you referenced each of the animals and showed how they relate to humans. My favorite line was "Bees escape the constraints of a career" because the repetition of the "c" sound is cool. Something that stands out is how this would be a good performance poem.
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