We collect the animals we conquered
And we call them our family

To fill the emptiness
Of a world we annihilated

Our Stockholm syndrome hostages
Get us through the working day

But at least I don’t feel lonely.

Author’s note: Originally written late September of 2024, this is probably still unfinished, though I suppose that depends on whether or not I return to work on it more. I think it still needs something, right now it’s a bit… meh. I wrote this because my pets bring me greater comfort than anything other than my wife, but we exploit and mistreat every other species on this planet, as well as ourselves. I feel bad for other animals to be subjected to us, at our mercy. Our selfishness is beyond measure. If only we could all be as decent and honorable as our pets.