We have anointed ourselves
the highest of species, able
to assert our dominion over all
which might be fortunate enough
to fall within our protection.

Some say we have eliminated
species, but they fail to recognize
that it was simply survival
of the fittest, that Darwinian
rules must govern nature’s game.

We mourn those gone, but never
pause to consider that based
on the game’s rules, we will always
finish second on the scale for it is
the cockroach who will preserve
our legacy when we have all too soon
killed ourselves off with our arrogance