We leave our mark on things

We leave our mark on things
Our names
A symbol
A statement
Of politics
Or preference
Of love
Or hatred
Or indifference
Or ignorance

We leave our mark on things
Secret messages
To others
On the inside

We leave our mark on things
To say:
I was here
This is mine
Listen to me

Even with all our intellect
Our cleverness
Our sentience
Our consciousness
Our awareness

We leave our mark on things
Like a dog
Pissing on a hydrant