The Doric columns in the park
stand tall, showing what civilization could be
while human beings mewl underneath it
showing what civilization is.

It is a beautiful day
but the people are never satisfied
with what is before them
and they always ask for more.

Even I sit, at a distance,
judging others
for being so judgmental.

What has become of us all?

Were the Greeks like this?
Of course they were!
Civilization, in all its myriad forms,
has been horrible
from the start
and will be horrible
to the end.
On that we can rely.