Where once, like elements of light
We floated weightless in the air
Majestic flight paths through the trees
Took swarms on scouting missions there
Locating nourishment and life
Our drones formed memories of this world:
Within the hive on axies planned
They danced a map the earth unfurled –
Our other drones observed the dance
And understood where they should fly
An instinct based on polar strength
Drew grids of meaning in the sky
So each drone, perfect as a sphere
Could pinpoint destinations squared
Then came the year named 99
The year our kingdom was laid bare