Bloody Seconds

The lion, as he's lying with the lamb:
goodwill itself, and holiday-themed cheer.
The turkey, and the stuffing, every crumb
all welcome the arrival, every year,
of "wouldn't it be nice!" and "oh, what if!"
and "let us come together, Peace on Earth!"
The sermons, some belligerent and stiff,
some gentle, all in welcoming the birth
of one, albeit well-intentioned teacher,
who dared imagine, for a bloody second,
that Man can be a different kind of creature,
and was dispensed with, having never reckoned
what each of us already understands.
That Man prefers the wringing of the hands.

Author notes: image generated by author prompt to ChatGPT