by Brett Rutherford
Human Intolerance:
if only it were
a creepy-crawly,
under-the-microscope
bacteria, waving
its little flagella,
if only some pill,
some mineral added
to the drinking water,
some aerosol a plane
could dust from on high
could eradicate, but no!
It is not airborne at all.
The proudly unvaccinated
were already infected.
Human Intolerance,
a worm in the brain
if ever there was one,
is freely spread
by memes and sermons,
by Catholic cardinals,
and demagogue candidates.
It breeds in repression,
guilt and self-loathing,
concealed in casual
classroom
locker-room
barroom chatter.
Millions ashamed of their genitals,
their animal urges,
their polymorphous nature,
millions insulting the universe
by worshipping some god
who picks the wings off flies!
Close down their TV ministries!
Bolt up their churches!
Put them in special asylums,
where they can await their rapturing
without annoying the rest of us.
Hurry along, believers,
to the one who made you
in his smiting image!
1987, revised July 2011, revised July 2026.
