Lessons From History

These yellow suns were always worth a look,
and many thought the species that ruled
a third world would make entertaining prey;
others heard the howls of their ancestors
insisting they wipe the planet-bound now,
in case their heirs became a threat one day.

So leaders were challenged and blood tasted
before a distant rock was nudged earthwards.
Such cruelty and hunger in their eyes.
Ancient instinct drew them close to watch
the impact send a blast wave round the globe
and a killing darkness shroud the skies.

But when the heavens burst into flame,
even baring teeth like railway spikes
crammed into huge bone-crushing jaws
held aloft by seven tons of muscle
was no help, T. rex died like all the rest.
It was the culling of the dinosaurs

and the furtive mammals that crept out
to claim the future would one day be us.
We’ve learned to wipe out the competition
and keep a watchful eye for speeding rocks;
such visitors might notice how we treat
our own kind and, next time, just hurry on.