In a message dated 03/03/2002 4:07:57 AM Central Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
<< Unbeknownst to human kind,
we have lingered in the chambers of the sea.
They look skyward, think us there,
yet we wade on the surface of their waves,
watch as they direct their lens
to measureless space.
They listen on their radios,
spend billions on pseudoscience.
We could teach them more than this,
if they honor the promised code:
"We come in peace".
We've asked ourselves,
"do I dare disturb the universe?"
certain that we already have.
This is a question they've rarely asked,
while polluting that space they so love to explore.
Perhaps you've noticed a peculiar shimmer
from the corner of your eye,
and thought it rays of sun or moon captured by the waves.
Perhaps it was I, or another of my kind;
our obsidian orbs cast an eerie light.
Marooned on a planet far from home,
we often dwell upon ironies such as this:
a species who expends so much to deny
what is right before their eyes.
I ask you now, who is watching whom?
And so I've placed this "poem" in a bottle,
discarded by a careless child.
But in this, as with many things,
we find purpose where none was claimed.
When it rains, we dance upon your moonlit shores,
burrow in your sands to
spawn, then pray our hatchlings will remember all
and so bequeath you history.
There was a time when people knew
that the sea was source of life immortal.
From it we come, to it we return,
waves thrashing upon the shore.
Yes, life does hover at universe's edge;
a moon, and behind it, stars.
Terrie
>> I love the premise behind this poem: the fact that while we are
searching they are already here. There is a certain poignant longing of
these creatures for their star homes and a certain commonality in their
hidden relationship with creatures like them, the human race from whom they
hide. We too hope our history will last, be passed on. I think that unknown
would be much less awkward than the opening word. I also think the poem would
be stronger without the last two stanzas. I really do like this poem. These
are only my personal thoughts for you to accept or reject, but yours is a
fine poem regardless. P.S. Consider cutting the phrase, "captured by the
waves." Thanks.
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