Monster.

Animal.

Inhuman.

These are the things
we say about those
who commit heinous acts.

We distance ourselves
We assure ourselves
… that couldn’t be us
that isn’t anyone I know

Until it is someone we know
until it is us.

And then they aren’t monsters anymore.

Savage

Animal

Subhuman

This is what the civilized said

and say

about those whose land

and bodies

they wanted.

Make them inhuman

Justify the monstrous human.