Colony

I am a colony.

Thousands of millions of citizens.
Paths through the crowds.
Silent, hard dwellings,
softer plazas where they mingle.

All you see when you look at me
is the flag they have raised.

Last night,
insurrection.
Tossed and tossed all night.

Later,  the voices
of huddled mourners by blood pools,
whispering, weeping.

Then the sun rose
and the city started scraping
itself together. 

I hear a beggar
suddenly knocking
at some door
in here.

We have to do something,
goes the cry across the streets.
A crust of bread,
a song,
a lover:
something must be done, one
who is starving
starves us all.

I got out of bed
scratching my head:

what should I do today?