Epic Poem: Poets of Life, Part II

Canto 3: Human Animals

Canto III: Human Animals

2019, Olan L. Smith

Helios by day, and some nights Luna guides my path.

I found my way from dark rows of maize where Luna and the owl

Are my guides to the world of people? People in board huts,

In tall rectangle caves, layer on top of layers, with glowing electric

Candles light the innards of successive cells of crammed

Souls afraid of the dark, and human animals haunting

Streets, and passageways. The prostitute is kinder than humans

That courses the arteries of a surreal realm. Here pitiful souls walk

To themselves, or in groups, letting no one in except themselves.

Friends, in the darkness, shout and shriek sounds that mimic the alley

Cat's wail. None know their neighbor! Souls weeping bitter sorrow,

Spirit of liquid proportions; they make humans brave enough to mingle.

Alas, many couplings are in stupor, vomit covers taxi floorboards,

And steep fines ensue for the cleanup, the perpetrator won't

Remember the disgust, neither will he recognize his alcoholic self

In the morning mirror. The man of corn pities the plight of so many

Frighten people, afraid to know anyone, and afraid to be alone.

By the dawn of Sol, the man returns to his field. He thinks, "This

Is what I come back too? Surely, I have arrived in a twisted

Dimension of almost, where the rulers are Tricky Dick wannabes;

But not as clever. Bring fire to the corn that can't be harvested."