By Martin Ott
Yes, we can be convinced to cheer
for our own extinction.
My coworker debates which side
to root for but settles on apes.
Humans act like monsters or have
always yanked borderlines into garrotes.
The creatures learn to communicate and are
almost undone by curses, signs, and guns.
Least among us is a mantra from the rich
and mercy is a weapon of the rich.
Space is an egg and potentially a prison
or hope depending on what came first or last,
the sameness of war no matter the cause.
Martin Ott has published eight books of poetry and fiction, most recently Lessons in Camouflage, C&R Press, 2018. His first two poetry collections won the De Novo and Sandeen Prizes. His work has appeared in more than two hundred magazines and fifteen anthologies. This poem is from his manuscript Fake News Poems, 2017 Year in Review, 52 Weeks, 52 Headlines, 52 Poems. More at www.martinottwriter.com. Follow him on Twitter @ottopops and at his blog, writeliving.wordpress.com.
Image credit: Internet folly.
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