Endangered Species??

For millions of years things died and were pressed into the ever absorbing earth.  Down they were pushed by time and decay until they became what they are today; foul smelling crude pumped up from below, processed and burned to make things go.  Polluting the air, killing the water, enticing all to partake in the slaughter.  “Enough,” said a few, “it’s too much to pay,” “go back,” said the few, “try another way!”

Then the atom was split with a horrible roar and thousands died on a distant shore, while the world stood back and watched with awe at the marvelous hell of destruction it saw.  “It’s good,” they said, “We can make it work for the good of mankind,” some said with a smirk.  So reactors were born, much to be feared and over in Russia, thirty towns disappeared.  And on the west coast the fish all died.  “What have we done?”, the few again cried.  But for the most it was good and they stood back and cheered for a raise in their electric rate was all that they feared.  And so it went on, some turned to the sun, too little to late, not enough could be done.  Wood stoves abounded and train loads of coal turned thousands of acres as black as a hole.

They tried sand tars and wind and heat from the ground, but regardless of effort no source could be found that would heat and support all those millions of folks who had laughed at the few and used them as jokes.  So it rained acid, not planned by the maker and topsoil was lost nine tons to the acre.  And rivers ran filthy, far worse than unclear and soothsayers chanted, “The end is quite near”.

And half of the world, which side we don’t know, said, “We will survive if we strike the first blow”.  So nuclear war grew out of its birth and unchained fission consumed half of the earth.  And those that remained knew none of it joy for mutants and monsters replaced girls and boys.

I explode from my bed, sweat flowing in streams.

I think to myself, “My God it was dreams”.

The sun is shining with sprinkles of rain and children are playing without any pain.

Small dogs are barking, the world is a wonder, but far off in space I still hear the thunder.

And I can’t help but think was it all but a dream or a glimpse of the future there too be seen.

So let’s cut population by natural attrition.

It’s a whole lot better than nuclear fission.

Let’s use what we have and not a bit more.

Let’s work on supply not demand as before.

Let’s be tough when we need to but gentle when we can

Let’s all work together for the future of man.

Burt Tompkins

January 20, 1981

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