Measuring The Fish

“We calculate the range of puffins

by measuring the fish in their mouths.”

One hopes the birds eat them,

afterwards.

They calculate our worth as plebians

by measuring the movement of limbs:

we hope to keep working,

though grave-wards.

Everything is measured,

numbered,

and quantified.

Never mind the quality,

feel the width,

the depth,

the S I Z E

of the chasm

between the haves

and “will-nots”.

We cannot be

Bartleby.

It will not matter

that we prefer

not to.

We are less than puffins,

for I think they will not

give us leave

to eat the fish.