lesser species

For every whale rescued
under the spotlight
there die a thousand helpless
rodents in the dark

for every dimple-cheeked
Polly Klaas and Jean
Benet Ramsay
vanish a thousand faces
black, brown and yellow
on the sides of milk
cartons

a life is a life
you say
a loss is a loss

I suppose,
but I save my tears
for those unduly
departed from the public
eye

so forgive me for skipping
the main street
tombstone parade

I was busy
in the back alleys
last night
mourning the
unvaunted