XII
We humans like to think that we
Control our destiny,
We dam our mighty rivers -
And reclaim land from the sea.
We tamper with genetics
And change the DNA
We think that mankind benefits
So that is quite o.k.
Our scientists are brilliant -
By manipulating genes
We've plants that poison insects
And brightly glowing greens.
Nature views our efforts
With a smile upon her face
And when she thinks we've gone too far
She puts us in her place.
When she wants to let us know
Just what she can do
She flicks her little finger
And violent quakes ensue.
A gentle sigh from her
And gales and cyclones blow -
And when she weeps at Mankind's ways
Foaming torrents flow.
So though we like to think that we
Control our destiny,
Our planet's rulers really are
The rivers, the sky and the sea.
Written July 1990
