Methuselah's Watch (poem) by Patrick A Granfors on AuthorsDen

Methuselah's Watch
by Patrick A Granfors → (All Poetry by Patrick A Granfors)
Rated "G" by the Author.

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I had a random question wondering what is the total number of people that have ever walked the earth. It turns out that since 9,000 BC, the number is over 100 Billion. Think about that, 100 Billion. Small wonder our planet has been pretty well picked over. The Bristlecone Pine is thought to be the oldest living thing on the planet today. One specimen in the White Mountains of eastern California named "Methuselah" was dated via ring count to be over 4,840 years old. This poem is about that. Photo: Mnn.com

More than one hundred billion souls Have marched to the ethereal drum In the span of a single lifetime You have observed what we’ve become Stoic witness to nearly all mankind At least of those we’ve deemed enlightened As humanity approaches critical mass The future has not much brightened From your mountain top you have seen Civilizations rise and fall Kingdoms swallowed, tyrants slain With little wisdom for it all You stood watch when Jesus Christ Was just a twinkle in God’s eye When the Buddha roamed Nepal Muhammad beneath Mecca’s sky You surely wept while your kind was felled From the Bronze through all the ages Continuing on today it seems As our progress turns the pages We approach the final chapter now Our story almost completed How sad that our Postscript will read “They left everything depleted” Survival of the fittest yours Watch over what remains It’s ironic that the ones who lost Were the ones that had the brains Copyright 2011 Patrick Granfors

Reviewed by Chip Bergeron

Reviewed on February 20, 2011

Don't be surprised if the bristlecone pine survives long after we are gone...

Chip Bergeron

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

Reviewed on February 19, 2011

Ironic indeed. All those brains just fodder for the greed mill. Will we ever grow up?

Much insight shared.

Ron

Reviewed by Victoria's Poetry & Voices of Muse

Reviewed on February 17, 2011

"Methuselah's Watch" speaks & walks with
profound footsteps Patrick and the
voices of truth inside your verses are deep...

Archaic Roots & Pine Essence
Victoria

Reviewed by Karen Vanderlaan

thought stirring write

Reviewed by E T Waldron

Awesome Patrick! I love trees, especially old bare ones that show their true beauty! This poem is my fav of yours, beautifully done!

Reviewed by D Johnson

Nice work Patrick, 100 Billion, that's a lot of people and a lot of damage.

Cheers,
Dan

Reviewed by Eileen Granfors

I'm not sure the end is near. . . I'd like to believe we can help save the planet though certainly we have decimated our Eden. e

Reviewed by Annabel Sheila

Truth every single word, Patrick....what will humans leave behind in their destructive wake?! Very interesting story...and pic!

Anna

Reviewed by Chantilly Lace (Reader)

Oh my...awesome writing dear man...great job indeed...have a wonderful and safe day...Hugsss

Reviewed by Mr. Ed

We approach the final chapter now

Our story almost completed

How sad that our Postscript will read

�They left everything depleted�

That 100 billion figure is mind-boggling. Perhaps we humans are actually the pestilence mentioned in the Bible, devouring everything on this planet, leaving nothing in our wake.

It's also mind-boggling to me that when I was born, there were about 2.5 billion living human beings on Earth, and now, there are nearly 7 billion, and some predict it won't be long before there are 9 or 10 billion of us, all fighting each other for Earth's remaining resources. The future of this planet looks very grim, indeed.

Reviewed by Paul Berube

Well done, Patrick.

Reviewed by Paul Judges

Reviewed on February 16, 2011

Excellent poem.

Reviewed by Jms Bell

YOU'RE USUALLY A FUNNY GUY PATRICK...BUT WHEN YOU GET SERIOUS...YOU GET SERIOUS BEAUTIFULLY. WELL DONE AND SO ENJOYED. THANKS FOR SHARING. LOVE, BLESSINGS & FAITH...JOYCE * HIS INSPIRATIONS

Reviewed by Ed Matlack

"Were the ones that had the brains"

Who said that, only you, so far...what do you think that tree would say if it could talk...? Jerseeeeeeeegull