Moonfall

…I might find it interesting to believe that we are not alone in this universe within universes. I believe ‘others’ are observing us, and are concerned by our behavior. Called many things through the ages, such as “travelers”, “those that are”, “angles”, among others: I believe they have been here, and perhaps some of us have been there. As adults most of us grow suspicious, skeptical, closed, and therefore unreceptive, potentially even dangerous — so these ‘others’ make their presence known only to the pure of heart, who still possess their sense of wonder. They come in dreams, visions, and apparitions.

Centuries and millenniums ago, when the world was less devastatingly violent, they visited more often. Graphic and oral evidence of their visitations are found in every culture. These ‘miraculous’ events, misunderstood by less sophisticated early humans, became the ‘seeds’ of the world’s current religions.

These ‘others’ seek to know us but they are frightened by our growing self-directed global hatred and paranoia — especially now fueled by our many technologies of death and destruction. They now consider us unapproachable. I’m not certain when or how large-scale contact will be made, but it will eventually happen — in spite of the ‘if-or-not’ of alien abduction and probing.

Inherently we humans have come to know, but not fully comprehend, the essence of this reality of impending contact. Through the distorted lense of fractured history and our fear, I believe we have, over time, come to call this ultimate contact by many names, some positive, some negative; names such as the rapture, apocalypse, end of days, armageddon, and the like. Though we perhaps misinterpret the nature of this amazing future event — contact is coming. This I might believe, if I could believe anything. In that spirit I wrote and offer this sci-fi poem…

 

 

Moonfall

•

the dual suns
still crisp and bright
warm me as I journey
painting the strange landscape in vivid presence
this alien world
startling
yet fascinating

I embarked at midday’s solar convergence
senses alive and alert
consumed by the thrill of exploration
heady with anticipation of discovery
I believed today I would make contact

I would connect

but it is day’s end
moonfall descends upon this severe terrain
early shadows fall across my face
a veiled foreboding settles upon me

there are many shadows here
other shadows
odd shadows

disturbing specters
that disrupt my nights
disquiet my soul
steal my peace
they come unannounced
almost imperceptible

but no time for worry
there is still far to go
I am eager to move
drawn by the need to reach my ship
to reach safety

yet here I stand
momentarily motionless
immobile with dread
yet captivated by the haunting beauty
that is this planet’s rising moon
a translucent blue fractal orb
ever changing
mesmerizing

I shudder and sober
turn into the evening breeze
and venture onward
immersed in rolling amber and coral
spread glorious to the horizons
of this foreign world
receding with the setting suns

again the shadows shift
dull confusion finds me
I lose my pace
draw up in momentary halt

nagging concern engulfs me
panic pierces my solace
bewilderment grips me
unwelcome
it holds me
uncomfortable in my skin

these feelings sweep over me
clouding briefly my purpose
obscuring my destination

then they waft
I see across the darkening valley
my shuttle craft
my safety

urgently I proceed
but again my mind fogs
I wander
and once more lose focus

an eerie mist settles like a shroud
moonfall is coming
coming much too quickly
moonfall
the frightening night noises
unsettling dreams

mounting alarm
I believe I am in trouble

a sense of peril gnaws
builds
paralyzing fear
fear I will not make it back
before these suns go dark

I am afraid to lose this light
afraid to loose my way

afraid
so afraid

• • •

rob kistner © 2010

 

NOTE: this was originally posted 2/25/10

…discover what others believe and don’t believe at readwritepoem…

21 thoughts on “Moonfall”

  4. Thank you for sharing this, Rob. I also believe that we have been watched and visited, although I am not sure if what they are is angels, aliens, deities, or what. This piece was very visual, taking the reader into and through the whole experience. You have a wonderful way of storytelling. I enjoyed reading this.

    -Nicole

    Reply

  5. A very enjoyable, compelling read, Rob! I am quite taken with this image of glory:

    “immersed in rolling amber and coral
    spread glorious to the horizons
    of this foreign world
    receding with the setting suns”

    Quite enough for me to accept the mounting alarm on the slomo trek back to the shuttle with equanimity.

    Nice!

    Reply

  7. Hi Irene —

    Thank you for visiting.

    The great thing about beliefs is that they can never be found right or wrong — because there is no proof. That is why they must dwell in the realm of beliefs, and not facts. Thus, you can simply choose not to believe those you’re at odds with… 😉

    …rob

    Reply

  15. I really enjoyed this. You pace the transition from excitement to wonder to fear quite nicely all while giving the viewer a wealth of wonderful images.

    Reply

  16. Great that you’ve contributed a sci-fi poem to this week’s mix! I find science fiction to be so imaginative, so liberating. And hasn’t much of earlier sci-fi proved to be prophetic, with their scenarios eventually come true? I do believe that eventually people on earth will make contact with life elsewhere. Thank you for the honesty of your belief statement. Do you know about the Science Fiction Poetry Assn? It publishes a journal and other publications. I first learned about it here on RWP.

    Reply

  17. Rob,
    This is excellent and reminds me of a book I read called “The Martian Chronciles” by Ray Bradbury. I get the same feeling from this poem that I got reading that book. Thanks for sharing.

    Pamela

    Reply

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