Before Day Light

It's a deadly night tonight.

Mitchell understands the stakes, all right.

He must secure food tonight,

But unusual adversaries lurk for a bite.

It's a deadly night tonight.

Mitchell carries his home up a vine and reaches the Wollemi pine.

He takes his first bite, oh so divine,

Yet a bit too alkaline.

It's a deadly night tonight.

Mitchell doesn't feel quite all right,

But he must find shelter before daylight.

So, he uses his mucus to adhere to the Wollemi pine.

It's a deadly night tonight.

The bush rat must also find food before daylight.

Mitchell is in sight, so he takes a fatal bite.

None of them live to see daylight.

The Wollemi pine sheds pesticide-stained tears.

Two species face depletion,

Yet she endures to recount the tragic tale,

The tale of this deadly night to future eons.