A nd it was seen
the circle of light
came from the far horizon
gliding forward slowly
as if drifting on a cloud
to settle — lowered
‘round the foremost peak
and the people came
and a sound was heard
rising in the twilight
a pulsing resonance
and then a voice
heard ‘round the world
pierced the growing darkness
“I am come
from those who were
before you are”
the strange words
falling from on high
like soft sonic rain
“this was our world
until we found another
more suitable in size
for our growing numbers”
there was a pause
as the circle of light thickened
“we have returned
to see our former home
now a world out of balance
we wish to be of help
to bring this ring of light
to full clarity of radiance
to aid you in seeing your way
to a brighter cleaner future”
as the ring glows more intensely
it begins to spin
as it spins more rapidly
from it emanates a low
almost imperceptible hum
more felt than heard
“we are the D’ohma
this is a D’ohma ring of wisdom
it holds our peoples’ truths
from times well past
unto time eternal”
at that moment a single beautiful tone
resonated from within the circle
sustained then faded
“in its pulsing glow
you will learn balance
which we have understood
and considered to be sacred
for many eons”
the spinning circle is now flexing
giving off a deep purple afterglow
“it will condition you to seek peace
so you can flourish as a people
to embrace ecologically safe production
so you will learn to replenish
at a rate greater than you plunder”
at this time the governing body
of Terra Prime – the planet’s new name
had formally converged
to more closely encircle
the mesmerizing ring
“what if we refuse your direction”
inquired the Primus Terrus
the elected head of the planet’s
current governing body
with coups and assassinations
being ongoing occurrences
the governing body fluctuates
“then you will be destroyed
and this planet terraformed
to become a new healthy world”
the people of the planet
who had gathered to observe the circle
gasped and cried out myriad objections
“people of Terra Prime — hear me
we are the Interstellar Eco Police
your planet has been found guilty
by the Interstellar Eco courts
of reckless endangerment
and potential fatal damaging
of a 1st order planet”
“these rings are many in number
positioned worldwide
they are not only capable
of instructing you in safe
ongoing effective eco practices
and helping you get redirected
they are also capable of reinvigorating
the spoiled soils of Terra Prime
as well as decontaminating your waters
and scrubbing clean your air”
with that the spinning circle
emitted a shrill klaxon-like burst
for a full minute
as did each globally
“however — they are also
each an effective high-output
laser-burst sonic nuclear device
capable of strategically destroying
all uncooperative human entities
that now infect Terra Prime like a virus”
“they will then globally begin
cascading a terraforming sequence
that will extract all pollutants
from this planet’s toxic atmosphere
cleanse till and organically infuse
every inch of soil on this planet
and reclaim the fouled waters”
“we will undertake this process
with or without the current population”
with that there was a silence
that fell heavy on the planet
the voice then began again
“we grant you 72 hours to consider
if you want your planet to be saved
regenerated for your use
or should we eliminate you
and strafe your planet
cleansing it thoroughly
to then completely revitalize it
starting it again new
with a different species?”
“this is not
the first time we’ve come
this is the second coming”
the voice then stopped
allowing that statement
to firmly take hold
“we came initially
prior to the first
of your insane world wars
when your blatant disregard
for this beautiful planet
began to dangerously emerge”
again the voice held in prolonged pause
the people of Terra Prime
remained breathlessly silent
only the sounds of the circle were heard
“you have had many decades
to clean up your mess
upon our first coming
we even stealthily left agents
who for your recent decades
infiltrated your peoples
joining with the many
outspoken voices of reason
both public and private
encouraging you to understand
your ecological responsibilities”
“but your majority refused to hear
or even to acknowledge
your critical need to improve”
just then a metronomic clicking
announced itself loudly
from within the spinning circle
“you have had all this time
now you have 72 hours to decide
the fate of your world”
with that, the circle spun faster
as did each around Terra Prime
and the sky-voice went quiet
stunned silence fell around the planet
it was frighteningly obvious
this was no bluff
D’ohman “voice in the sky”
Capital of D’ohman home planet
*
rob kistner © 2021
See other responses to this photo: Mindlovemisery
I highly recommend you visit: Earthweal
Poetry at: dVerse
A pointed drama taking pains to ask: What does it take to do the global right and necessary and good thing? And would we change even then? A lurid and convincing drum of sci-fi. (Or would it be sci-po?) – Brendan
I like SciPo Brendan! Gonna adopt the term. I was fretting over the shit way we are NOT dealing with our many ecological issues, wishing there were D’ohma… I have a grandson. I want there to be real change for his sake, as well as for this beautiful planet. Frustrating! Not sure exactly what the executive producer(s) had in mind for this script entitled earth — but I find it hard to believe this is it!?
What an interesting story!
Glad you liked it Kim.
“I am come
from those who were
before you are”
Intriguing, and I think these interplanetary messengers could teach us a timely lesson!
But would we listen Ingrid — even then…?
Yip. What is it going to take to shift our collective knowing into action – it is like we are hell bent on playing chicken with the apocalypse. A good read. And a definite yes to SciPo.
Thank you Lindi! The smarter we’ve claim we are, the more ignorant we’ve become!
This was an amazing journey into the rings of knowledge. It reminded me of a time when I was flying and looking out the window at the earth below. To my wonderment, I saw a circular rainbow in the sky. I have never seen anything quite like it and it seems to be an extremely rare sighting. Pilots sometimes see them. It’s about being in the right place at the right time, I guess. It said to be the crown of heaven. I have never forgotten that image and how I felt at the precise moment in time. I felt blessed in a way I cannot describe.
I know my mind is wandering again, but thank you for your amazing sci-po.
Fascinating True, in my 74 years, I had never heard of such a wonder — wow!
I totally loved reading this again. It’s so well done you should expand on it write a short novelette.
Yes, that circular rainbow was amazing….the gate to the divine realm…I still ponder it Rob….
Thank you again True. Life offers us magic sometimes, if we pay attention.
Wow. I welcomed the ring and its wisdom, wishing there was something like this that would save us. I love the idea of Eco Police and an Eco Court. But I fear humanity is so screwed up we would not embrace its offer and would need to be zapped away. Sigh. What an interesting and well written tale this is.
Unfortunately Sherry, I rather agree with you, based on historical proof.
Sadly, this is what it will take.
Wonder if even this would move us?
COMMENT FROM LILLIAN
Rob: Hope you read this. I adored your piece BUT at the end of it it said something like CLosed for comments. I put a comment on a previous poem to let you know as well. Hope you can change that as I’m sure many will want to comment to it….brilliant piece of writing…could be the basis for a movie or tv series!
Thank you Lillian, for your gracious comment, and for helping me correct the error! 🙂
I’d like to hope for the “happy ending” outcome, but…
Nicely unfolded, Rob. Smoothly told.
Thank you Ron. When humans are involved, one never knows where it might lead!?
I hope this is a prophesy that comes true. Hoping we choose wisely but I hope it comes true regardless.
YesLisa, born from my frustration regarding how fucked people’s attitudes are to our world
I won’t be here long enough to see change … your grandson, my grandchildren … their children … is there a chance? SciPo a new genre we must embrace. You have already aced it, my friend.
Yes Helen! I hope that our children’s, children’s, children find a world still able to be saved — and they save it! I have met my children’s children, so there is less than a century to get this ship righted.
I would definitely be wild to learn there is an eco police and eco courts, etc. I’ve been intrigued by all the UFO footage of late. If we are going to be visited and held accountable, I suppose it will be soon. Not sure how it would pan out. I enjoyed this form here, as it was just enough to paint the setting, characters and conflict and leave us with questions.
Speculation born of frustration Tricia.
I could not help but think in the name Terra Prime, that all of the Earth had become an Amazon acquisition, packaged and resold many a thousand times over. Let your words be our warning. Peace, Jason
That is fucking astute Jason, life had indeed become consumerism played out on a stage that’s going to ruin, while we clad, and pamper, and feed, and drink, and pleasure, and digitally hypnotize ourselves to death. We are so sucked and tucked into ourselves and our immediate gratification that our humanity, and the miracle of the earth, which we’ve been given — is being smothered in our shit covered avarice.
Chilling last line – ‘this was no bluff.’ For some reason mankind thinks any deadline can always be pushed into next week, next month, next year. But it’s not called a deadline for nothing. Thought-provoking read – thank you Rob.
Youmare most welcome Marion, pleased it touched you.
What a great read Ron! I think you really enjoyed yourself writing this one. I particularly liked these lines
your planet has been found guilty
by the Interstellar Eco courts
of reckless endangerment
and potential fatal damaging
of a 1st order planet”
That sounds like us for sure! ??
Thank you again Christine! BTW: My name is still Rob… ????
What a great read Ron! I think you really enjoyed yourself writing this one. I particularly liked these lines
your planet has been found guilty
by the Interstellar Eco courts
of reckless endangerment
and potential fatal damaging
of a 1st order planet”
That sounds like us for sure! ??
Thank you Christine! BTW: My name is Rob… 😉
I always do that! So sorry Rob ??
🙂
Gripping, frightening, and inspiring, all at once.
Thank you Xan… 🙂
What a great read Ron! I think you really enjoyed yourself writing this one. I particularly liked these lines
your plant has been found guilty
by the Interstellar Eco courts
of reckless endangerment
and potential fatal damaging
of a 1st order planet”
That sounds like us for sure! ??
What a great read Ron! I think you really enjoyed yourself writing this one. I particularly liked these lines
your plant has been found guilty
by the Interstellar Eco courts
of reckless endangerment
and potential fatal damaging
of a 1st order planet”
That sounds like us for sure! ??