Poems and Thoughts    by Frank Maurer

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The End of Yet Another Golden Age? We humans have lived through a climate golden age. With our ever greater success in most things, We increasingly traverse the world, Slowly carrying viruses and bacteria with us. With the human population-increase throughout the planet, There accompanies an increase In ever-more confined protein sources to feed us: Feedlots for cattle, tiny coops for multiple chickens-- Our gallinaceous protein source--, Ever-more fish farms, confining magnificent salmon. These confined populations, Ranging from humans, to our 'fellow-food creatures'. Exasperates the increased possibilities of transmissionable disease: Look at bird flu just now in our dairy cattle herds-- Milk still drinkable, yet affecting the caretakers. Henry Ford's production line increased efficiency, But that crowding was with the joining of metal and fabrics-- Crowding life with ever-more 'food producers' is not the same. Some of the oldest forms of life--bacteria and virus-- Are constantly mutating, waiting for a new source of life-support. (Remember, virus are part of our ancestry and DNA!) This is the wonder and power of evolution through natural selection-- The thing called life, maintaining a hold on life, In an ever-changing environment requiring constant adaptation. Frank Maurer 9 October 2024 0930 Hours.