Fourth Annual Biology World Poetry Day Contest

The Festival of Life

By Puneet Thiara

Did you hear?
They’re holding the festival of life!
And the chances you get a ticket are 1 in 400 trillion!

You can sing with a band of birds
They’ve got talent, or so I’ve heard
You can watch the Hooded Grebes’ mating dance, where the demand’s at
Though, don’t try those moves with our species, for you will be laughed at
You could view the exhibits, go wander around and view what you see fit
Though you might want to stay away from those beehives, and the edge of that cliff
They’ve got great food, just pick, rinse, and eat
But not the bright ones, or you might just bleed

Now don’t forget, this is an exclusive event
Don’t make me look bad in front of my friends
Respect the diverse cultures, from the protists to the whales
And there are still rules, you should follow without fail

Have an open heart like the molluscs
Wake up with gratitude when the birds call us
Have a backbone like the vertebrate you are
Your bioluminescence will shine brighter than the stars
Stay grounded like the trees
Don’t make fun of the crane’s knees
Don’t feel lonely when you’re in a bad position
Many microorganisms are ready to listen

Now cherish this ticket, remember your nomenclature
Sink into your innate connection with mother nature
Honor what has brought all the guests here today
The process of evolution, hip-hip hooray!
A moment of silence for the ones before us
A toast to our descendants who will adore us

While we’re at it, let’s all address the founder
The greatest success story you’ve ever encountered
Their humble beginnings still give me goosebumps
Every time I tell it, my heart jumps
One cell, one common ancestor
Was all of our biggest investor

So let us celebrate the festival of life
And the events that gave us form, fins. and flight