A Burden for A Fig

He had a heavy burden for a fig
Yet no burden for the lives he destroyed.
He claimed, "Science!"
Did science save the world?

Embers of civilization slowly darken;
Ashes fall as a settled dust.
He stole from the Masonry its cornerstone
And it being awkward, he said, "What is this?"
He plugged the gap with plaster
Which was inlaid with fine artistry.
Of the cosmos, which would replace the Chapel's ceiling
Had the cleaning not been done.

He looks up, and rather than see Michelangelo's 
Frescos carry the full weight of the stars
He looks up, and sees the empty vacuum of space.

Yet, he filled in the gap.
He painted upon it his universe.
Minutes later, the structure
Leaned toward its center.
Its towers wept, its spires sagged
Its walkways and walls bent inward.
The gap broke, revealing the hollowed out space.

Yet, thinking he were wise, he
Told all how the plaster would hold.
It would hold because it seemed true.

Many were in that structure.
Many fell that day.
For great was its fall.
And many perished beneath their burdens.