THE DISEASE

There was once a man called Earth,
Who was kind and gentle and nice since birth.
He was peaceful, except for an occasional pass,
At the pretty petite but fiery Mars.


So Earth lived for many, many years.
Cherishing lives of many a Rex and Stegosaurus.
He swirled and turned and sung on his travel.
While all other planets could only stare and marvel.


One day, Venus asked out of curiosity,
"Why do you breed so many things on your body ?"
"Oh, I love life on land and sea." Earth said with glee,
Venus scorned, "This is all a big mistake, you'll see."


Millions of years passed, and Earth flourished,
And he smiled and danced and did what he wished,
While the others looked upon him with jealousy,
When they saw that their own lives were boring and lousy.


One day, bright sparks appeared on Earth's surface,
"What's that ?" asked Jupiter with an aghast face,
"Why, that's Man of course," Earth said, "Sire,
They have discovered the splendid fire !"


"Don't be stupid, Earth," Jupiter cried,
"Destroy them at once, before you are fried !"
"Don't worry, O Earth's father,
Man will learn to love and preserve nature !"


But hardly two thousand years later,
A very short time to heavenly matter,
It was clear to all that Earth was in pain,
He was hot with fever, with a splitting migraine,
And, worst of all, he couldn't rain !


Looks of "told you so" was clear on smirk faces,
As the planets looked intently on Earth's races,
As they bickered and fought, plundered and burned,
And in their mindless folly, no stone was left unturned.


Doctor Mercury said Earth had cancer,
That was spreading with uncontrollable danger,
The bacteria of Man was dangerous indeed,
As it infested all that Earth had tried to breed.


The Earth was dying, and all was sad.
Even hot-tempered Mars forgot to be mad,
When she saw Earth's poles melting like saggy pie,
She was so sad she wanted to cry !


Yet the illness raged on unabated,
And fires burnt and wounds were created,
Earth's whole being was wrenched apart,
That his children themselves would break his heart !


What was there to do, he thought with a sigh,
The only way he could survive was for Man to die,
"I couldn't do that," he thought with resignation,
"I love them too much to take Mercury's potion !"


There was only one thing to do:-
To hope that Man would come into his senses,
That he would pause in his search for answers,
And realise the fully of his ways,
Then stop the idiotic rat-race !


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