Theatre of Cruelty

that cruel theatre must imply intent
as if our misery is truly meant
only for us by some old malcontent

the lion, scooping guts by greedy clawful
says, 'don't mind me ~ I know it must feel awful,'
then grins as he dips for another bloody pawful

just as commuters nonchalantly tear
into their lunch despite one's rigid stare,
they shrug, and belch, or worse, decide to share

the universe is only cruel if we
deny its grim impersonality:
it can no malice bear to you or me