By Jake Levine
When it rains, it pours at Drew University. Water cascades throughout campus in a choppy, rough manner that deposits a mixture of dirt, filth and waste throughout various locations on campus. Mixed in with all this are poor, innocent worms, flooded out of their homes and thrust into a world that is both dangerous and frightening for our little friends.
Oh, poor creatures! Their lives are short and tragic, unbefitting of creatures so kind and noble. The worm stands as the champion of invertebrates, often cast aside as disgusting or worthless. Yet, worms do so much for the earth. They spend their lives digging and eating away at dirt to let the earth breathe. As noble heroes who sacrifice so much for the betterment of the world, they deserve lives of comfort and relaxation, free from worry or stress.
Instead, the rain washes away any sense of ease for our poor, little companions. Water floods their homes, forcing them onto the cold, hard sidewalk where they slither in panic and stress. And what do we humans do? We scoff at them, reacting with a mixture of disgust and contempt to their misfortunates. To most they are filthy, withering pests that are in the way.
To add to their misery, the accursed sun follows the rain, beating down on our friends in a relentless, brutal fashion. Before they have the chance to return to the safety of their homes, worms are scorched and melted where they stand. Water and fire; two pillars of life, two pillars of death. These worms are faced with two choices – water or sun – with only one result: death.
Valiant, honorable creatures – you do not deserve such a fate! Nor is your great sacrifice forgotten. The tragedy of your suffering is a testament to the legacy of your species and your work. Not even the rain can wash this away. Even more, not even can the sun burn this away. Rest easy gentle little soldiers. You all deserve it.
Jake is a sophomore History major with a double minor in Art History and French.
