“Nature will bear the closest inspection.

She invites us to lay our eye level with her smallest leaf,

And take an insect view of its plain.”

Henry David Thoreau

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In an Ecological Pecking Order

On the planet known as Earth

The many species of Invertebrates*

Are Extremely Significant

They are the key to continued life

And hold a most significant role

In the biological welfare of this planet

If Earth’s Invertebrates

Including Spiders Starfish and Ants

Ceased to exist tomorrow

Earth’s ecosystems

Would soon collapse

And quickly vanish

And the Earth

As we know it

Would cease to exist

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In an Ecological Pecking Order

On the planet known as Earth

The species known as Man is Insignificant

We add nothing biologically

And hold no significant role

In the welfare of this planet

Yet

We are by far

The largest consumers

Of its natural resources

And if all Mammals

Including Man

Ceased to exist tomorrow

The Earth would continue

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Makes one truly wonder

Which Species on Earth

Are truly the most important

Makes one truly ponder

What our role on Earth

Really is

And Who We Really Are

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Are We Really

God’s Children

His Chosen Ones

The Designated Planet Protectors?

If so

We have done

An extremely poor job

Of protecting this planet

Its natural resources

And its vital residents

Or

Are We Perhaps

Nothing More

Than Earth’s Parasites**?

Feeding off it

Polluting it

Harming it

Adding nothing of value

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And what if-

God

Or Mother Nature

Have now begun

A Massive Pest Control Campaign

©2006, Ed Kostro

*Biological Definition of an ‘Invertebrate’

Of the millions of species on Earth, more than 98% are invertebrates.

They don't have an internal skeleton made of bone;

Many of them have a fluid-filled, hydrostatic skeleton,

Like the jellyfish or worm;

And others have a hard outer shell,

Like insects and crustaceans.

And all of these invertebrates have essential roles

In maintaining the healthy functions and processes

Of Earth’s many varied ecosystems,

Both in, and on, its land and water.

Without these invertebrates, the Earth would die.

**Biological Definition of a ‘Parasite’

An organism that lives in or on a host,

From which it derives sustenance or protection,

Without benefiting this host at all,

And usually doing significant harm or damage to it.