Cows do what they must

Cows do what they must

As do cats and dogs

Wolves do what they will

To feed the pack

Humans have a wont to do

What they want

Whilst some do what they should

Cows ruminate

Cats and dogs fight

Wolves hunt in packs

Whilst some humans

Turn a blind eye

To what is wrong

Others do what is right

It’s not just old people

The tired, mean-looking, skinny guys

With leather faces

Hang-dogged

From too much self-expression

Shouting the odds

At a time when the loudest voice

Always won

Some people are just plain

Belligerent.

Show me a baby

It might squeal

But give it the time of day

Tend to its needs

Give it love

And it will be content

Even greedy little tykes

Respond to a cuddle

Until something happens

And the goodness curdles

Inside them.

Wanting without giving

Resenting the good guy

With the affable grin

The soft heart

Generosity of spirit

Calling him weak

For caring

Miserable griping teens

Irascible old men

Mean as fiddlers

On a gable roof

They even hate each other

Nothing fills the hole

In their stomachs

I want more

I want that one

I deserve it more than you

Because I am taller

Wider

Whiter

Blacker

Pinker

A patriot

A blueblood

I am younger

And more beautiful.

Old people should be shot

Involuntarily euthanised

The young should be shown the door

Given a broom

Told to sweep up

Shut up

And guard their tongues.

I must be soft

To expect more from humans

When the rest of us

Can be as good as the best of us

If we are encouraged

So to be.