“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” George Orwell
Forgive me, no intention to demean honest hogs’ demeanors…
Surprising intelligence, omnivorous nature in small group contacts —
It’s just that some human affairs seem unrepentantly hoggish;
Wallowing in mud’s disinformation, but not for thermoregulation
Or parasite control but to spread corrupt bargains or frauds;
Rooting obsessively to find conspiracies, mocking real actions
Or smelling out celebrity’s tittle-tattles like tasty truffles for the poor,
With long snouts, grunting and snorting as main sensory organs;
Nesting with maternal instincts to birth and suckle uncivil piglets;
Yearly, ‘blowing their coats,’ shedding coarser bristles but not instinct.
Let humanity beware beset by crisis, recession, armoury of guns,
Mutating viruses, climate disruptions, natural disasters and evil men.
Seek not the hoggish ideologues who snort and root and wallow
But seek to unearth ignorance and harvest democracy’s civilities.
Annemarie Berukoff
