I can't boast of my pedigree,
Or claim to be of noble birth;
But let me tell you my history,
How people spotted my worth.

From the death of Plankton I was born,
Sticky black substance of odious smell,
Shunned, unappreciated by one and all;
Little did they know of my future renown.

I began work in humble service,
Binding mud bricks, to be precise,
Then I rose to the rank of fuel to ignite,
A source of heat and much needed light.

People took me to their heart,
But I remained of little account
Until they discovered my potential
And considered me most essential.

Precious as gold, they thought of me;
'Black Gold', they lovingly named me;
'Noble fuel' the Shah of Iran called me;
It seems no honour is too good for me.

Now I rub shoulders with the rich and mighty,
Kings and Presidents delight in my company.
Nations compete to gain my favour,
Courting me with zeal and fervour.

I've risen to the rank of a god
Ruling over the hearts of many.
Governments keep me in mind
As they form their foreign policy.

Wars are now waged in my name,
Innocent blood is shed at my altar.
I have reached the highest fame;
Oh! How I wish things would alter.

I wished to serve humanity,
Offered myself in humility.
But they got the better of me,
Those greedy men of vanity.

I shall abandon them to their devices,
I refuse to encourage them in their vices.
Into the depths of the earth I shall retract,
Making myself scarce, difficult to extract.

Isam Hussain

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/oil-tells-its-story/