James Moore Poet Narrative

Notes About The Poem

They’re Not Really People

(“The Mothership”, 2024, photo collage of original encaustics)

From the beginning of time bands and tribes
Have simply named themselves “The People”
Obviously to make a distinction
Between themselves and other animals, 
Plants and rocks, spirits
And the other humans over there. 

And from the beginning of time
They have probably used the excuse
“They’re not really people”
When getting into conflict with those others
And deciding they need to be controlled 
Enslaved or eliminated.

We’ve seen it happen repeatedly to black Africans 
To ethnic minorities wherever they are resistant to change 
To the Jews en masse in Europe last century
And today with helpless fetuses the world over.

It is after all the best way to rationalize
Murdering those we don’t want
Or can’t control any other way.
It is after all important
To be able to sleep at night.

I’m sure there are alien motherships
Orbiting our planet right now
Watching as we struggle 
To mature into celestial beings,
And I’m sure they’re saying the same,
“They’re not really people”
But with greater wisdom and compassion
Are also saying,
“Not yet.”

(10/12/25)

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