The Problem with Engineering Is Always with the Engineers

Why has kindness persisted
And yet never succeeded
In superseding anger?

We all know how the quick flash
That flushes the skin, tightens
The grip, desires to lash out.

The body’s spontaneous
Gushes—fear, anger, kindness,
Disgust—none programs others

Out of us. Circumstances
External to the body
Can alter more easily,

And in turn, act to alter
How much kindness, how much hate.
Drugs can have short-term effects.

Religions amplify both.
We’ll try engineering next,
But we’ll engineer anger

For our teams, maybe poison
Our enemies with cocktails
That force them to be kinder,

Before we’re likely to let
Ourselves be reengineered
So kindness succeeds in us.