Living Off Death, Part II
...But why limit it to mankind?
that view is much too small,
when animals are considered,
this truth applies to all.
The predator is obvious,
they kill to lie off flesh,
has one ever sworn off the meat?
I haven’t seen it yet.
But even the ‘kind’ herbivores
cannot escape the curse,
I’ve seen deer ear a baby squirrel,
they’re no better or worse.
And don’t they face the same truth that
the human farmer does?
How much grass have the grazers killed
eating the food they love?
How many trees, how many plants…
the damage they inflict,
survival means that others die,
it’s a truth quite tragic.
Even trees feed on rotted life
decomposed in the dirt,
they don’t just eat sunlight alone,
their roots feed on our hurt.
If all life operates this way
then why should we all stress?
Since every single animal
survives only off death.
But despite all these negatives
a thought occurs to me,
does death only bring great evil
to our society?
Does not the eternal nothing
drive people to have kids?
Has not the ear of our last end
pushed great things that we did?
How many inventions were made
to try and leave a mark?
How many great ideas have come
from pondering the dark?
Were not many medicines made
by those who would prolong?
Is not a book the author’s mind
left behind when he’s gone?
What flavor would life have at all
without its opposite?
Is not the limit on our time
what makes us value it?
Can we say that it’s always bad
when everything we do
has meaning only because death
is always hunting you?
Perhaps instead of protesting,
reflect, and save your breath,
since every single one of us
was born to live off death.
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
Please
Login
to post a comment