Tribute to a Sardine

It’s sometime
Hard not to emote
When we failed to connote
In appropriate measure
To such a treasure!

Something small
That protects us all
In ways not always clear
From threats and challenges
We ought to fear

Take the lowly sardine, a fish
Of little repute
Whose contribution
Is beyond dispute
Sad that few know what
This species achieves
To keep our temperature
At moderate degrees


For if truth be told
It’s defining criteria
Is to eat all that
Potentially lethal bacteria
That contributes to temperature’s rise
And the prospect of man’s demise


So, here’s to the sardine
Who keeps us around
May all other species contribution
Be as sound…

Les Aaron