Indifference

Poemata LXVI

Overgrown city / has rhythm but no seasons / lights flash, cars pass by

"Indifference is the rule of the world
So full of men we can never know them;
What question, what mystery unfurled
Could tell us what we could fin'ly show them
For them to care that we live or die
For this is true, and is no lie--

"A statistic is what we are
It cannot be otherwise for us today
No matter how near or far
About our lives, what could we say
That could help us pretend it isn't so
Much I have heard, but none that I know;"

And the light changed from green to red
The roar of the cars was deafening then
Not a word shouted or said
Could rise above the sound, but when
At last the traffic had passed us by
He spoke once again, as if to sigh:

"To be kind would grant a reward
Though such kindness cannot be true
But rudeness alone can afford
An end to indifference, so malice grew
From selflessless, yes! It was unfurled
For indifference, 
      yes,
      indifference is the rule of the world."