In the Next Life, Canto III, stanzas 350-356

“More than a clue I claim, and more than close.
You see, that knowledge gap is self-imposed.
It’s really an addiction; the first dose
is given early; then your mind is closed.

“No matter what the culture, minds are weak.
The inability to question rules,
except where I grew up, and that’s a freak.
That works because those folks are total fools.

“Okay, that’s not quite true: I was conceived
because my mother’s options had no range.
With very valid reason, she believed
expiry was the only type of change.

“But then she and her daughter with me fled.
If they had stayed, they would have had more still.
The women of that place are worse than dead
if they attempt to exercise their will.

“By now, some others will have learned to fly.
They’ve learned they can avoid the risk and pain.
To leave is risky, too, I shan’t deny—
perhaps the like of that if they remain.

“The men, to keep their breeding pool intact,
will have tried very keenly to persuade
the women to stay home, and by this act,
those more persuadable are those who’ve stayed.

“A selfish, independent woman might
survive a lengthy time out in the wild,
or she might last no more than overnight,
but either way, she’ll never have a child.”

Breeding pool: Why would the men care about the breeding pool? At this level, aren’t we just talking about sex?

©2011 Louis A. Merrimac