How arrogant, this creature, "Human",
So soon after its recent birth,
To think that wee I and you can
Control the air and sea and turf!
But that's the thought of this species –
Unfortunately, yes, it thinks –
The last biped of the series;
Its skull enclosure never shrinks.
It wandered, with trepidation;
It crossed the savannah en masse.
Unseen mental stimulation
Propelled on this special class.
The earth's four winds did they follow,
Adjusting to the changing climes.
They hunted, shared and borrowed,
And tired soon of being mimes.
Caves, too, got old – they built structures.
Seeds, they found out, bring tasty fruit.
Finding some food, though, caused ulcers,
Which better weapons soon made moot.
For nature's gifts they'd find a use;
'Twas plentiful this proffered horn.
The creature, now, had no excuse –
On to that for which it was born!
Great cities, ships and iron steeds
Proliferated 'round the globe.
The wonder of these human deeds –
Magnificent, a royal robe!
But, that's all well, for what it's worth;
It's surely not the whole tale told.
The other part is not all mirth –
Or none! – if one should be that bold.
Yea, they're many, spread far and wide.
There's jealousy for others' vaults,
For things others treasure and hide.
To get them, there's no end to how
This treachery may come about.
It may be a pig or a cow;
It may be a well-armed redoubt.
Of course, this coveting drew blood –
And that which one would fain not speak.
Barbarity became a flood;
The strong laid siege over the weak.
That still exists, though with controls –
Self-preservation to the fore.
There're bridges built, and then there're trolls.
There'll always be those who want more.
Having conquered most of the earth,
And having put the birds to shame,
The creature sought another berth;
Outer-space set its heart aflame.
With baby-steps, they reached the moon.
Their eyes are now set on the stars.
They've done all this, and all so soon.
Their lengthy fingers now scratch mars.
With all this done – yet incomplete –
You'd think the creature would relent,
And sit awhile and rest its feet.
But, no; with earth and space in hand,
The creature's ego goes unfilled.
Like Lear, it launches a demand;
That wind and earth's old bones be stilled.
It challenges the very sun,
Whose power makes the earth go 'round.
Could all this be a cruel pun –
A creature, thus, so loosely bound?
It's leaders, now, in Paris meet,
To save the earth – or all be damned.
Unblinkingly, they mount this feat,
Before the door of time is slammed!
How arrogant, this creature, "Human",
So soon after its recent birth,
To think that wee I and you can
Control the air and sea and turf!
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