If We Were Animals…
If we were animals...
People would gaze at their screens and weep at images of our once vibrant and diverse eco system now barren.
Pop stars would sing sad ballads while the image of glassy, longing, memory filled eyes gazed back,
A number rolling across our touch starved bodies
Promising the chance to care just a phone call
And a few dollars a month away.
Children would draw us as stick figures, sad eyed and alone, while watching puppets pull empathy out of their bellies like pumpkin pulp, then pinning us proudly to refrigerators, parents gazing down with mouths proud as jack-o- lanterns.
If we were animals conservationists would spring to action.
NGOs and Non-Profits,Foundations and Charities set into motion like well oiled machines;
robotic, and ready to protect the endangered species from the cruelty of men.
If we were animals my callous covered feet and dry hands would work in perfect harmony to move out, and out, beyond planning;
navigating passed all the manufactured, and soul lost half faces then -
Think nothing more of it.
Instinct driving faster and further than any highway
Away from the thing that had encroached on my habitat, a knowing pounding Like pistons, alternating energy with infinite power pulling us back to together.
If we were animals they would them themselves, and other each other to save us.
They would draw out sacrifice streams from stone hearts;
‘A price paid’ they’d say for their invasion upon the natural with their unnatural.
If we were animals, they would turn their own into villains on giant screens, Pour music over the perfect golden baked grief stricken, guilt streaked faces, with their backs bent in shame at what their own had done;
Crossing their chests and hands signing checks with oaths.
If we were animals, posters would have the word save under our chins.
If we were animals, bills would be passed faster than potatoes promising love with legislation.
If we were animals, NPR would strike empathy on bare knuckles gripping steering wheels.
If we were animals, they would say, “this is no way to treat an animal.“