Mammals, Birds, Snakes, Frogs, and Fishes

Outlasted what struck the dinosaurs,
So all Earth’s lovely biota are—
From blue whales to humans, ostriches

To hummingbirds to penguins, rattlers
To cobras to sea snakes, poison darts
To bullfrog choruses, great white sharks

To guppies and carp—consequences
Downstream from an extinction event
That took out three quarters of species

Of plants and animals, thereabouts.
Yes, this anthropocene is obscene,
Like all Earth’s hunger, fucking, and death.

Beauty will come of this, guaranteed—
Unimagined beauties from your mess.