You Can’t Protect the Living

Nothing and no one can—
They’re in danger if you
Name them and if you don’t.

Maybe you can choose not
To add to their dangers,
Maybe help some wounds close,

But the living, like fish
In a popular pond
For fishing, like the flies

The fish hunt, like the green
Scum that feeds the insects,
And the bacteria,

Bacteriophages,
Anything that’s living,
Actually still living,

Lives beyond protection.
Name them all. Name your friends,
Your folks, your enemies.

Aren’t you yourself living,
Beyond all protection
From names’ detonations?