I pull a can off the shelf,
knowing the quicksilver
in every freshwater fish can kill,
just like the slow price of burning coal.  

The most accurate measurement remains lives per gallon.
Gas. Oil. Water. Coffee. Alcohol. Merck. Pfizer. AstraZeneca.
Are we spilling or saving?  

Kafka states, “The deciding moment
in human evolution is perpetual.”
This echoes every minute like the clack
of uncaring cars over a flattened soup can.