Genetic Inheritance Poem by Tor Magnor Solvang

Long, long ago, when the world was new,
Many kinds of humans walked, it's true.
Neanderthals, Denisovans, and more,
Faded away, closing their door.

It wasn't just one thing, they say,
But many troubles along the way.
New people came, from far-off lands,
With clever tools and helping hands.

They hunted well, in bigger bands,
And needed food from the same sands.
This caused a squeeze, a gentle fight,
For what they ate, both day and night.

The weather changed, the world grew cold,
Ice crept in, a story old.
It made life tough, for those apart,
Who couldn't change with all their heart.

And in small groups, the genes got weak,
Too much alike, they couldn't speak
To change and grow, to fight off ills,
Susceptible to the planet's chills.

But not all gone, a gentle blend,
They mixed with us, until the end.
A little bit of them, we keep,
Their ancient stories in our sleep.