Thirteen billion years and more
The universe has turned.
One three hundred and fifty millionth of that
Is but a minute fraction on the cosmic scale.
But in that time the earth has been around the sun
Forty times, enough for two generations to try and fail.

As is proper in these enlightened times
It’s considered wrong to treat this gap
                           ...as if it doesn’t matter.

           And if that gap did not exist,
           Who says you’d have put me top of your list?