Passersby

By Cliff Lake

 

Passersby

 

Investigating an unknown system,

One world there was of shining blue.

But conditions there indicated

That their visit was long overdue.

 

The planet aged prematurely,

What life was left could not be gauged.

The dominant species fought itself,

Resources plundered past tipping stage.

 

And the seas and land were overburdened,

And there was poison in the air.

And they passed by the blue marble,

Infected with greed and despair.

 

Wisdom had these travelers,

It was argued they should reach out.

But the breed was too fixed in tribal mind,

A welcome reception was in heavy doubt.

 

The seekers watched a short time in growing dismay,

As the species learned to faster consume.

Spreading waste and toxins in their wake,

And learned to make ever larger explosions bloom.

 

And the populace was overburdened,

And there were weapons in the air.

And they passed by the blue marble,

Infected with anger and despair.

 

And the searchers sympathies were overburdened,

And they left the blue world behind.

They passed by our blue marble,

Warning all delegations of mankind.

 

Cliff Lake 1/14/2025

Copyright © Clifford Lake 2025

Location: Wichita, KS, USA

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