1000 Small Minds

(Adapted from a newspaper article)

1000 small minds follow the impulse of just one
A tightly choreographed dance of the dumb
When one moves the other follows

That is the way of sheep
The way of marching ants
The way of flocks of starlings
Of migratory wildebeest
Of sardines

Acting without knowing why
Basic instinct rather than clear thought
Nature proving strength and safety in numbers
The group is more capable than the individual

True for just about every living thing
Except us

The human animal is the only creature
That can decrease the mental capacity
Of a group by adding to it
Because we can think for ourselves

One man carrying a flaming torch
Is just trying to find his way
A 1000 men carrying flaming torches
Have clearly lost their way

Don Matthews
March 2020