Johnimals

This is my submission for day 20 of  The Halls of Pandemonium from Bradley Ramsey, as per the picture below.

They call them Johnimals
named for Dr Ian Johnson,
British archaeologist.
Little known in his field

until recently.

Somehow through his work,
he discovered creatures
that existed shortly before
humans were known of.

A mixture of carnivores,
herbivores, omnivores.
Like dinosaurs. Like humans,
as the creatures were themselves.

They took various forms,
some lizard-like
Four-legged beasts
ranging in size.

Some as big as a T-Rex
others like chihuahuas.
Then there were upright,
two-legged variants, like us.

Dr Johnson's research
led him to think they shared
characteristics with
lifeforms his friend was looking at.

An astrobiologist.

He confirmed that it was
possible that the creatures
could travel,
were inter-planetary beings.

Though seemed to settle
most often on Earth
and they seemed
quite advanced.

Dr Johnson had discovered
writings, communication,
betting on the outcomes
of certain events.

There were signs of democracy
that seemed to work
and markers of courts
and judiciary in place.


Then, like the dinosaurs…. gone.


There was some sort of event,
almost like an earthquake.
The earth it seemed, sank into itself
taking all with it.

Then levelling itself back out,
starting anew.

That was where we came in,
well a little while after.

Dr Johnson and his team
worked tirelessly trying
see what caused the event,
why we haven't seen it since.

Patterns were found,
the planet leaves traces,
signs of when this will
happen again.

The bad news from
Dr Johnson was that
he thinks it could already be
occurring and will

wipe us out,
just six months from now.

I work for his team,
just admin
but we hear of these things,
sign confidentiality clauses.

Whilst scientists and geologists
try to find a way
to stop nature,
intelligence is being gathered.

A reason not to tell the world
of coming end of days.

Usually, in times of loss or grief,
certain clichés, which do hold truth
are trotted out. They appear spoken
and in social media posts:

Hold on extra tight to those you love.
Never forget that kiss goodnight.
Always remember to say 'I love you'.
Tomorrow isn't guaranteed.

Well yes and no on that last one.

It's guaranteed,
but is seriously fucking finite.

So you would think that we would
all be making the most of that time,
whilst those with knowledge and skills
try to save us.

The intelligence disagrees.
It suggests that if people know,
then effectively we will
spend those months less than lovingly.

It's true, some will make the most of their time.
It's thought that others though
will say 'fuck it' and embark on
lawlessness and waves of crime

as they try to become king for a day,
to sample those things
that have always been denied
or out of reach.

Some will look to settle old scores,
petty quarrel settled
in violence and murder.
What's a life sentence,

when you're already facing the end.

In a world where so many religions
speak words of peace,
but adherence is shown in violence,
there's a fear of more bloodshed.

One more last push as different groups
all aim to show their god
is the most powerful and kind,
by massacring those that believe otherwise.

The stairway to heaven,
always carpeted with blood.

Meanwhile even as this goes on,
data gathered suggests that
world governments also
may look to burn a world

before it takes them.

Nuclear powers, all looking
with such a short time left,
to wipe out 'the enemy'
be the last one standing.

Then banking on their science
to help them survive
and rebuild the world
in only their image.

So why am I breaking ranks,
and telling you this?
Simply because, I think
you have the right to know.

And if that means ensuing chaos,
then bring it on.

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