We didn’t know. Not all of us,
of course; the cat knew, the animals
in general knew; only people
were dumb enough to go along

with whatever the Adversary said.
He could have said “the sky is green”
and someone, everyone eventually,
would have agreed, provided evidence

to explain to those of us skeptical
why were were wrong, established
a society of believers, started online
social groups for the diehard green

believers. That half-assed Satan could have said
“I love the inflation” and people would have
agreed and thrown their money down
like fools on trinkets, cell phones of gold,

other baubles. Those of us not interested
in taking it up would have thrown up
our empty hands and turned away
under the green sky, swooning

and sneering below the rising cost
of pet food, birdseed, and oil. We would
have gone blind first, angry second;
lost in the miasma before long, as planned.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
onward,
T