CREATURE DOUBLE FEATURE
You were always that oblivious one in
the monster movie, who needed to be
warned of the giant lizard eye peering
through the open window behind you
even as everyone else froze to watch it.
I never understood this—your inability
to spot the most obvious signs of trouble.
Though debris shook from the walls and
screams echoed through the burning city,
you never admitted a thing to yourself.
Even the proud reptile was stunned by
your indifference. What if all its wanton
trampling had been for your sole benefit?
It could have ended so much sooner
had you ever opened your eyes. Instead,
you turned away from that open window,
and left the frightened crowd to scuttle
for cover among the flattened buildings,
insisting we end the feature with no
room for heroics or a sequel of any kind.
Originally Published:
The New Republic (Oct. 24, 2005)
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