This is How You Learn to Be Human
First, begin to replicate nucleic acid enzymes.
Define your body; know what is you
and not you. Learn to feed and repair yourself.
Metabolize, metabolize, metabolize.
Develop a nucleus. Adapt
to an oxygen-rich atmosphere,
and separate functions within lipid bilayers.
Teach your cells to divide
and remain part of a single body.
Differentiate cells into tissues.
Next, develop a backbone, a spine.
Grow four limbs, then transform
from an aquatic to an air-breathing being.
Cover yourself with hair. Give birth
to children that draw breath and cry
even as they leave your flesh.
Feed them milk from your body.
Gaze upon the world with forward-facing eyes.
Climb down from the trees; lose your tail.
Learn to walk on two legs.
Shape stones to make knives and spears,
and hunt other animals for food.
Rub sticks to light fires, and cook.
Move air across your larynx
and modulate sound with your lips and tongue
to make songs and sentences.
Make clothing and shoes.
Continue to walk on two legs.
Spread to every region of the earth.
Clear the land with fire.
Study the heavens. Draw.
Tell stories, dance, and worship.
Build houses and cities. Separate tasks,
so some are shoemakers, and others
are lawmakers, fishermen, teachers, and musicians.
Create objects whose only purpose is luxury.
Record your history, read it, and learn.
Remember what it means to be human:
Remember to walk on two legs. Remember
that you have a spine. Fill the world
with painting and poetry. Remember that once
you cleared the land
with fire.