Sorry, Cousin

If three billion years ago--

According to what the scientists say--

We were merely single-celled beings,

We have come a long, long way.

 

It’s hard to imagine life before

Becoming multi-cellular creatures

With such a wide assortment of

Fascinating traits and features.

 

If sixty percent of our DNA

Is shared with fruit flies, we can see

That we humans and fruit flies have

A certain commonality.

 

If ninety-two percent of our

DNA is shared with mice,

Before we take their little lives,

Do we ever stop and think twice?

 

Before we kill that fly or rodent--

For reasons that number more than a dozen--

We could at least show a little

Respect and say, “Sorry, Cousin.”

 

-by Bob B (12-30-19)