Threat Landscape

1

Life began with general irritability,

then developed lateral suppression,

the ability to boost some signals

while tamping others down—

attention—

creating a high contrast world

with exaggerated peaks and troughs,

the threat landscape,

projected now on screens

by paid experts.

2

You’re right, Sasha.

I forgot.

The butterflies are frightening

with their abrupt approaches

and batty swerves.

They mix the outside in.

You’re right.

We don’t know what will happen.