Putrescine
Cadaverine
Indole

We can call upon 
A myriad of things
To stay focused
On all that separate Us

Culture
Social constructs   
The great 0.1% genetic divide
	- Genes that determine melanin production
	          (e.g.: MC1R, SLC24A5) and other polygenic traits

Environmental influences
Borders and beliefs 
Histories and economies

Irrespective of these
Remember

We all
Smell 
The same
When We ...
Decay

I’ve taken liberty with the science – don’t get mad at me! The 0.1% is true but there are other genes I could have referenced.

I woke up with the last stanza in my head, then I remembered the Death exhibit at the ROM earlier this year, and we have a poem! Yay! 🥰 You can read a bit about Death: Life’s Greatest Mystery if you like. Also, I was going to call this poem Rancid … but I will save that word for something else.

Photo by Erik van Dijk on Unsplash

© 2024 Samantha Williams. All Rights Reserved.