I wonder continually about that time when we
Broke off from the other animals. What were we
Thinking, if anything? Were we trying to toss
All of our aunts, uncles cousins into the
Dumpster in one grand renunciation? I wouldn't
Be surprised. And was that the moment when
Our centuries of egomania began? Oh, my dears,
The Bengal tiger, the biggest cat in the world,
Who was our friend and protector on the plain,
In the tall grass and under the squirmy trees,
Is now down to a population of only 400.
Where did all the others go? Of course we know.
We gave the command that drove them out. And then
So many, many thousand and thousands of other
Wonderful beings, whose minds and hearts we knew
In our earliest perception, knew and loved.
That knowledge and love tinge our thought
Today, and fill us with this inexhaustible sadness
Which we acknowledge in our mumbling days
And which cause us to nod our heads slowly
And stupidly when moonlight shines on water.
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