INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS

University of California, Davis

When I was told that the last thylacine went extinct because of neglect I thought

That zoo over there let that poor thylacine freeze because they thought they could buy another but now none of them exist.

Then I thought to myself

Who cares?

Well what right do I have to kiss someone goodbye or bury them neglect them hold them or offer fake smiles—

they’re going to buy a plot of land for thousands of dollars and now that’s where they’ll be in sixty-five years with brooding rocks that read

The one who didn’t cry for thylacine. Maybe even The one who cried for thylacine.

It’s a matter of perspective really. The way those facets reflect neglect.

I have everything to be scared of but at least I lived in a way where I said things like Who cares? or That poor thylacine.