Rats In Cages, Edit #2

[ellajam]

This is a sound edit, some notes below.

--Edit #1--
There are rats in cages and mazes that are happier than I am.
They do not count walls and stars.
They do not think of life and death or dark and light colors. I like the list of things they don't think about.

I watch them, fur and flesh over bone and brain.
I give them levers to pull, to see if they decide. Possibly what instead of if.

The levers move in silence. I think this works beautifully as a stand-alone line.

It is a chemical, and a muscle.
It is computable, and yet chaotic.
Though in vain, I believe it is noble. Not a fan of "I believe", possibly "it is somehow noble".
They shake in self-awareness at the product of their hands. I don't get this, after the levers is it  a product of their hands?

In reflection they see their fur
Placed over skin that is not their own
Just before the glass breaks.

Interesting poem, thanks for posting it.