Extinction’s Many Faces,
by Odin Roark

Born of persuasive personality,
Extinction continues as Time’s patient shadow.

No need to wait for asteroid impact,
the human species is quite capable,
as the singularity of annihilation
makes both grand entrances
as well as walk-ons from the wings
of earth’s sun-lit stage.

So many guises, it,
from that of Brazilian forest insect,
to the more ego-obsessed man,
where arrogance of power
causes cowering of innocent life.

How eclectic
this repertory theatre of extermination,
adjusting its presence when addressing
a road-show impact on multiple Paris venues,
or the rotating fair of Syria’s sold out continuance,
even the forever altering cast of nemeses,
demanding earned attention from the long running
performance of Iraq’s Capulet and Montague-like battles.

Lest we forget,
termination continues in other far corners with its road show,
rendering Malawi, Burundi, Central African Republic, and Niger
as the longest running drama of impoverishment on the planet.

With no closing date in sight,
the scope of its reach merely continues,
selling out to audiences of exhausted cravings,
where demagogue wannabes,
power hungry glad-handers,
and smiling enslavement
continues costuming the many understudies
of this indulgent gluttony.

Yes…

Nonsurvivalism has been
and continues to be
the man-made disease
perpetrated not by seekers of a cure,
but by the contagion of momentary highs
unaware the crash of ignorance receives the applause,
taking its curtain call,
reminding the planet who’s the star.

Fortunately,
there will always be some patrons of expectancy
who will reject death as a final curtain,
opting instead to learn from the drama,
obviating cynicism and creating hopeful options,
life-loving curtain rises for a species
who has unfortunately chosen to make Extinction
its longest running spectacle.