The Hale-Bopp comet came in 1997 and 39 members of the Heaven's Gate sect took their own lives in the apparent belief that they would pass on to another astral plane.

Pharoah feared the portent showing,

Brightly in the evening sky.

Though the priests were wise and knowing.

None could tell if they would die.

Comet passed and was forgotten.

Egypt turned its face to sun.

Four millennia after Pharoah,

Comet made its great return.

Hale and Bopp foresaw its coming.

Told of its celestial route.

Dirty snowball, bright and glowing,

Spread its tails across the sky.

Intruder in the night sky showing,

Who knows what, to you and I.

From a higher source though, some knew,

What the comet tail contained.

Those thirty nine took steps so fateful,

Leaving through, closed heaven's gate.

Even though some might pursue it,

Seeking truth, or hope, or peace.

Our snowball is just cold and rocky.

Swirling round dark, empty space.

Farewell comet on your journey,

See you when you're next around.