I attended his lecture
   afraid of the heavens;
       suspicious that Father Sky
           cannot shield Mother Earth.

I raised my hand
   and gave some pause;
       my anxiety swelled as
           I braced for impact.

He said past me,
   “All signs point to
       us being a flash
           in the pan—

           Humanity
           is frail and the
           stars are not immortal.
           Only time waxes forever.
           Only energy is eternal.”

I took my leave
   looking up at the morning;
       asteroids shine no light,
           nature gives no warning.