No roar
Almost 8 billion
No life without the hum, drone, clatter of the thoughts
opinions
emotions
actions
of others.
Searching for peace, for a separation between self
and the press of others,
but our nature refuses us this permission.
Are not each and every one of us of the herd,
the pack,
the flock,
the school?
Critical-thinking praised and necessary,
but a step too far and the flames will immolate you.
An unwilling and unwitting martyr
Silence solves problems and seeds new ones.
Remaining quiet too long
wary, sidelong glances accompanied by the aural spectres
of murmured whispers
criticizing your membership within her tribe.
Survival is not the same as living.
Existence is a mere thing, for we have long been animals
no more.
Your footfalls, your breathing, your heart’s rhythm;
it sits
percussion in the orchestra of humanity’s symphony.
Seeking but never to find,
a martyr you will never be.
Too weak.
No call of your own.
No roar.
