The world revolves steadily.
Clocks tick imperceptibly
As the rats multiply.

The fat in the sewers is enough.

Populations increase exponentially.
Excrement clogs the pipes.
Cockroaches vibrate their antennae in anticipation
While Nero plays,
A dispassionate solitary voice
In the wilderness of flames.

All is well.
We are making progress.

Though my hearing is bad
And my bowels,
Once so steady
Explode periodically,
I have medications
Which I am told will do me good.

The butterflies are rarer now.
The mourning doves mourn at a distance.

We are not shamed.
We have no decency.

Thankfully stupidity is its own reward.
We must bequeath the world to the wily crocodile,
A survivor and to the birds, the children of the dinosaur.
When the lights go out and we crawl into a hole,
Too late to cry.
Days of slow decay,
Witnesses to an old toothless anger.