Civilization to me
Means shortness of breath 
A sharp pain in my chest 
Long and restless nights 
An onslaught of tomorrows 

It is my nagging cough 
The large lump in my throat 
When I have fallen short 
In a rich man’s plan 

It is the envious breeze 
That lives in the marrow 
And pollutes my thoughts 
With fever dreams of betrayal 

Civilization to me 
Means a sweltering death, 
On an anthill pyre  
Beneath a magnifying glass