Polish Poem by Michael Burch

Polish
by Michael R. Burch

Your fingers end in talons—
the ones you trim to hide
the predator inside.

Ten thousand creatures sacrificed;
but really, what's the loss?
Apply a splash of gloss.

You picked the perfect color
to mirror nature's law:
red, like tooth and claw.

I thought about titling or subtitling this one "A mini-ode to manicure" but thought better of it. Please note that this poem is not about female predators or lipstick and nail polish, per se, but the way the human race "glosses over" its predatory nature. We may appear to be "civilized" with our constant grooming and high fashion, but what are we doing to the planet and its other inhabitants? I suspect many animals facing climate change/global warming and possible extinction would prefer less "civilization."