Sending messages, using firelight, by setting mountain fires
We'd contact neighbors, even far away, using simple sight
Eventually, the desire to make contact would lead to more
And in time messages changed in form, becoming electric
We'd invent a way to extend our reach, finding life forms
To speak across the universe we'd use concentrated light
A question to an optimistic mind, what about our past
Do you remember our first contacts among the species
Not just the racism and hatred, but absolute slaughter
Humanity has long had a dangerous killer instinct
For, if we have killed our own species so easily
As we seek new life, and we act without mercy
Will our desire to find new life, for others be fatal
For all of that new life that we might find
Should we even try to reach further
Are we forever bound to history
Can we ever transcend our past
How will we ever know
If our desire is subconsciously to find new prey
If our actions are not accompanied by grace
Our desire to know should be muted
For as we try to find all the galaxy's knowledge
And all that is unknown remaining to be found
Will we show restraint and change this day
Is it too much to consider that we pause
With new alien life forms to slay
We'd contact neighbors, even far away, using simple sight
Eventually, the desire to make contact would lead to more
And in time messages changed in form, becoming electric
We'd invent a way to extend our reach, finding life forms
To speak across the universe we'd use concentrated light
A question to an optimistic mind, what about our past
Do you remember our first contacts among the species
Not just the racism and hatred, but absolute slaughter
Humanity has long had a dangerous killer instinct
For, if we have killed our own species so easily
As we seek new life, and we act without mercy
Will our desire to find new life, for others be fatal
For all of that new life that we might find
Should we even try to reach further
Are we forever bound to history
Can we ever transcend our past
How will we ever know
If our desire is subconsciously to find new prey
If our actions are not accompanied by grace
Our desire to know should be muted
For as we try to find all the galaxy's knowledge
And all that is unknown remaining to be found
Will we show restraint and change this day
Is it too much to consider that we pause
With new alien life forms to slay
