What you need to know

Evolution

Human, begin.
Day One: This is water.
Tread.
Two hours in the drink
and you invite it in.

Human, begin again.
Day Two: This is water.
Tread.
Twelve hours wet when
you know it’s for real.

Human, once again
Day Three: This is home.
Tread, tread.
Three days and you call
the rat your brother.

Rat, stop now.
Day One: This is nothing new.
Cease treading.
Take a moment to dry your tail.
You know now what you need to know.

Joseph Gallo
May 1993