855 AD

when the steaks are so great

and the forest so far away

and the trees keep falling

and falling

and falling

like first snow

who decides

if sodomy of a man or woman

or child

in their own home

in the borrowed roof

in the stars

in the ghetto

is good or bad

who decides

crime or punishment

who waits, watches, 

and fails to be

who becomes

the loss of a whole generation

and looks

just like you and me

and as an addendum

I must ask

if they look like you or me

wear the same clothes

drive the same cars

share physical features

emotional moments

laughs and family structures

are we now the same people

and what does one do

when attacked by someone

with no filters, no conscience, and no soul

do we pray for their freedom?

do we search our deeds for clues?

do we kill them first?

do we die sad and hopeless?

for all our souls

and assume survival

will do?

maybe if we add insulation

a mosquito screen

and an opera house

it will all be forgotten

it will all become okay

the soul will reemerge

as if from a bad dream

or you know, we're dead

worm food now

who cares?