I am the very loneliest

Of creatures in the universe

Indeed I am an epitaph to Man

For having witnessed mass destruction

Like you've never dreamed and worse

I fear I shall bear witness once again



So said the lighthouse keeper

As he struggled up the spiral stairs

Which led him to the laser flare

Which scanned the cosmic void

Where keeping constant vigil

He'd forewarn, this gallant guard of guards

Beware all ships the space graveyard

And its stones of asteroids



For though my race was thought immune

Themselves they did consume

So be warned or be mourned tomorrow

And from your deafess do desist

And pray take heed of this

For your present course

Can only end in sorrow



So said the lighthouse keeper

As he wiped a teardrop from his nose

Upon which his spectacles rose

And gazed out to the stars

And like a portrait still he stared

And sighing to himself declared

I must invent the perfect prayer

Not yours, not mine, but ours



Which in the name of charity

Might lead us to Eternal Peace

The ultimate philosophy

Some simple, single phrase



The old and much encumbered man

Then came to rest with head in hand

He thought

And thought

And thought away his last remaining day



(Epilogue:

When to his end the old man came

Death told him "You'll not die in vain"

And on his lips the fatal kiss was placed

But from within his falling chest

The old man uttered one last breath

And had we heard his parting word

We'd know that he had said.