Pick up a nameless insect

The one right there, that flies by

Minding its own business

And hold it in your hands,

Like a pearl in a shell

But don’t give it a name yet,

Now in your left hand hold its body

Observe first its fight to escape

Count the number of legs

The flutter of the wings

And think to yourself

How ugly this thing is

Then slowly with your right hand

Pluck its first wing

And blow it in the air

Pretend like you didn’t hear

The silent scream

Feel big, and huge, and dangerous

And tell this insect that this is a warning

To its siblings and friends

To never come close to you again,

Observe again its attempt to escape,

When it begins to settle a little

Pluck its second wing

And this time place it right next to the body

To remind it that there is

No escaping now

Laugh and let it loose on the ground

Watch it crawl across the floor

And keep staring at it

As it escapes foot-steps

Heading towards some place

And see if it is lucky enough

To make it to the other side

Without getting trampled

By our busy life.

Then go back to your room

And pick up the newspaper

Talk to your mom about

The man who was set aflame,

The girl who was raped,

The kid who was gunned

The woman who was beheaded

And discuss how

We’re losing our humanity

Every day.