A Universal Voice

Watching a recent episode of COSMOS hosted by

astrophysicist, Neil deGrasse Tyson, the other night.

In one segment, he mentioned that we, the human species,

are a voice for the Universe.

Indeed, we speak for all creation around us.

Think of it, the stars and planets, the galaxies, nebulae,

black holes, super novae, gamma-rays, the spectrum of light,

land, seas and air, plants, animals and minerals, the

Periodic Table, Bob and Sally next door

would not be named, labeled or understood without us.

What a magnificent and terrifying responsibility.

Today, we discover and communicate our findings to

one another at light speed.

We transmit infectious viral diseases with a handshake

and a sneeze. This time we name it Coronavirus (COVD-19).

We record it for posterity as our history along with world wars,

famines, plagues, natural disasters, cotton candy, NASCAR races,

Starbucks, hemorrhoid ointment, smartphones, Depends Diapers

emojis, paintings worthy of hanging on display in the Louvre,

and Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson poetry.

Ah, to be human and alive at this time! What a gift!

Are we recording?

                                  -30-

Chris Hanch 3-17-2020