A Business Matter

This project, founded on a dead man's whim,
became complete, though not for many years.
Dredged out of dark, the giant creatures came
from shreds of matter lodged in fossil shards.
The colour of nude snails, with monstrous tails,
they dwarfed the tallest office blocks we built,
but, herbivores despite their size, were scared
of mice, cloudshadows, and our whiplash darts.
Their outcries filled the parks we had prepared.
Their footfalls shook the redwoods to the roots.

These were the larger ones, witless and slow.
Some of them served to start new industries
that market experts said would quickly grow.
By special licence, we could shoot the brutes.
With bribes, the licences did not come cheap
...