I, Bacterium

I didn't choose to be a bacterium, I tried to live a good life. And individual bacteria are innocent. But my colony has gone nuts. The medium was the message -- the growing medium, I mean. I guess it was our niche on the earth. We were told we could choose our fate, handle the responsibility. 

Or we were called to do that, I should say, given the opportunity, as we were, and able to use our capabilities to advantage. To be sensible and humane. We didn't listen. I'm exhausted. We're worn out, and we did it to ourselves. Needlessly, I choose to believe, with what limited choice I still have.

I think we had a choice. Exponential growth is a bitch. We chose compulsion. So we're no different to bacteria, hurtling toward annihilation. But we're aware. Some of us. We see the insanity of it and it's enough to make you mad. This wasn't meant to happen to beings who could foresee it.