I moved the ammonite fossil from the wall ledge to the ground, where it was safer from nudgings by cats,

Evolution or Devolution?

Their footsteps  form a timepiece pressed into the rock:
portraits of a planet learning how to walk.
Bent on following a plan well out of their control,
instincts prodding them to race to fulfill their role.

Each tiny part of nature bound to do its part,
facing threats against the evolution of the heart.
What part of mankind’s journey waits around the bend?
Will our progress finally bring about our end?

For Sunday Whirl Wordle 632 the prompt words are: control rock portrait timepiece bent plan threats instinct race part footsteps planet