a tunnel without light

Carefully positioned around a vast, oblong pool of water, zebras, hyenas, and small animals find refuge from the constant beating sun. Drinking in small bouts of peace, the preys’ motionless facade hides their true vulnerability and fear. A slight growl or roar from a predator is enough to incite dominance and intimidate the opposing prey. These perceptions of tranquility are disrupted as those with the stronger, more ferocious voices are heard, and now, chaos resumes. Within an instant, the atmosphere shifts, and the animals resort to their primal strategies. The insignificant, small creatures whose position is seemingly expendable, take flight or attempt to camouflage, knowing their caws or snorts would only be drowned out by the more influential voices. The spotted hyenas' smug, interminable laughter escalates as the clan forces their prey into hiding. Their overpowering, cocky presence dismisses the other animals, and they cry until they are left alone at the watering hole. The intolerable clamor of hyenas disrupts the zebra’s infrequent, yet powerful barks to their herd; sharing a message in hopes of mobilization. The hoard of black and white relies upon one another, and values partnership and security, unlike the hyena's autocratic structure. A chaotic environment spurred from the pursuit of dominance is how these animals survive amongst one another. Emotions were forgotten, like birds, deer, and zebras submitted into their role within the ecosystem. Humans act no differently.

In place of zebras, hyenas, and small animals, the watering hole has transformed into a split society. Birds and deer are replaced by agreeable followers, whose compliant tweets make a failed attempt to change societal ideologies. Obnoxious hyenas, no longer laughing are interchanged with corrupt opportunists, hoping their loud voices will force the others into submission. Substituted for the courageous zebras, volatile influencers who are too easily agitated, spew phrases on their soapbox, advertising to fearful underdogs. Each group with their own agenda, thinking entirely by design, fluctuates between their animalistic self and humane decorum. Humans channeling naturalistic and primal instincts, attempt to share their opinions. However, conflict is rarely resolved. Tiresome, nonsensical, and all-consuming deliberations prove to be as efficient as the cacophony of roars, howls, and barks at the watering hole. A continuous tunnel without light confines the prevailing problem until one faction concedes. Fear feeds power and control, no matter if in the Savanna or a civilized society.