Anthony Bourdain

After the fact,

Because he was gone and people said he was great,

I got into Parts Unknown

And loved it.

What a smart and charming man of adventure

With a dark and funny mind.

So, to paraphrase a scene:

He’s climbing the steps of an ancient temple

Somewhere in India

And his travel companion marvels at the monument

Saying “What a testament to beauty

And spirituality, to God, to, to...”

“Slave labor,” Bourdain replies.

Which is a valid point.

Don’t forget the slave labor.

Why is slave labor the afterthought?

I mean

Can’t we have awesome things without slave labor?

What a disappointing species

To the pessimist who cares.

That was Anthony

Brooding good luck being stuck on this planet

Where the underachievers are in charge.

And you’re one of ’em.

Empathy, the gift given and struggled for

Brings in an astounding haul of sadness

All that compassion

Spread too thin

Worldwide.

All the slaves who built the temples—

They were a reason why.