Via Channels

Intestinal parasites
Infested early farmers.
Every solution entails

Problems of unintended
Consequences. Irrigate.
Boost yields. Overpopulate.

Irrigation channels swarmed
With snails hosting worms that breached
The skin of wading humans.

This—and this is history,
This is important to note—
Sickened individuals

And killed many of them, but
Did next to nothing to slow
Rising civilizations.

Culture and technology
Lumber from their murky births,
And whatever misery

Festers in their carriage
Isn’t really their concern,
Nor are their victories yours.