the ancient rain collapses on the ground

in an ever-growing flood of wisdom and destruction.

it remembers the dinosaurs and the homo habilis,

it will see the flying cars and might go into

the ever-expanding void that is space—

if we even need it at that point.

the rain will bring to life new species,

but wash away the ones that stand in its path.

though tired leaves fall dejectedly, and spring returns again,

it will not change; not a single thing will alter.

but the transient light of humanity will eventually

hide behind a cloud and disappear, perhaps forever,

and the ancient rain will fall and bring new life,

and new destruction.