Aped

We learned from our masters
the length of the spear
the strength of the sword
the purpose of fear
we cowered before them
like mice before men
like pitiful vermin
in search of a den
we know how to make
something weaker submit
to pull wings from flies
and laugh about it
our vanity grew
as we longed to become
like those that exploited
this backwater slum
then left us here stranded
to wonder and wait
despite our adroitness
at harnessing hate
and though, like our planet
we're riddled with scars
we still keep on looking
for signs in the stars.