Scourgerels

It’s easy for any ordinary
Life to vanish under the waves, but no
Human can commit enough wickedness,

Be responsible for enough torture,
Murder, rape, and general cruelty,
To not have later human admirers.

Anyone can do the roll call. You could
Do it yourself, listing the vicious names,
At least the ones known best to history,

But someone will always praise some of them,
Go on about cultural achievements,
Or strategic genius, or strength of will.

There’s a tiny, genocidal hearth god,
Or a niche awaiting one, in most hearts.