Why can we only build cruel machines?
If you were
to have dinner
with the common swift,
or any such bird in fact,
be it blackbird or swallow.
And in conversation,
talk of freedom
and what that means.
Surely they would think
your explanation quite bizarre.
To describe to them
how they can fly
to distant lands.
To where the skies are warm
and food is plentiful.
But you must stay,
to pay the mortgage,
and correct spreadsheets,
and take that important client’s call –
early next Tuesday morning.
Yes indeed, that little swift
would not doubt be polite.
But leave convinced
that you were truly
the maddest ostrich of them all.