The Suicide Marches of Lemmings

every four years or so, or eight
lemmings emerge and fall in line 
entranced, though certain death awaits 
undeterred, they lose their minds

resistant to all reasoning
when truth is plain, as plain as day
pressing on, it’s frightening 
to watch them sell their souls this way

and as each one succumbs to lies
their numbers dwindle as they go
over the edge, shutting their eyes
and ears to what onlookers know

how tragic is the lemmings’ fate
as if they never had a choice
deceived, thinking things could be great
they drank the koolaid, lost their voice

~kat

NaPoWriMo 2024 – Day 4 Challenge: write a poem in which you take your title or some language/ideas from The Strangest Things in the World. First published in 1958, the book gives shortish descriptions of odd natural phenomena, and is notable for both its author’s turn of phrase and intermittently dubious facts. Perhaps you will be inspired by the “The Self-Perpetuating Sponge” or “The World’s Biggest Sneeze.” Or maybe the quirky descriptions of luminous plants, monstrous bears, or the language of ravens will give you inspiration.

My inspiration:

The Suicide Marches of Lemmings