Scientists are just now understanding
the importance of gut fauna
to us bumbling behemoths –
the world needs symbiotes
dressed in the worn white collars of parasites
to sit silent and consume
while the bar patrons conversate
beautiful stories about provincial retreats
along the coasts of Maine –
the world needs ironists
to transcribe and demure –
and sip
and demure –
actually,
the world needs consumers –
actually,
depending on our definition
(huzzah, harrumph, etc.),
the world needs all
or none of these.