the stargazer by diane wakoski

the stargazer

i read
in the newspaper today
that a tiny wasp may rescue dying american elms,
the old war of babies,
the fastest growing larvae eating others up,
you learn to fight back,
to take what you want,
to eat a lot
and protect your sleep
when you're young;
                              i look at the stars
on this clear night
with corny thoughts about distance and time,
wondering what it means
to survive,
if you have to eat others
to do it.