The Resignation of Social Animals

The day will come, children.
Children, the day will come
When you no longer perch

Like caged birds in boxes
Day after day, pecking
Your crumbs of sustenance.

We can’t say it will be
Better, and we can’t say
It will be worse, but look

At your past, at ruined
Cave towns and cliff dwellings,
Topless tow’rs, roofless walls,

Your opened catacombs.
This office will not last—
None of your offices

Performed will be performed
Forever. Even hives
Fall. Even the practice

Of living in hives had
A beginning, changes,
And will end. Cold comfort

Between fluorescent lights
And greyish carpeting,
We know. The day will come.