space

Poem #648

~ Georgia Tell ~ 1 Comment

scientist was attempting an experiment
in a pod off the main spaceship
he lived in isolation
to unlock the power of his mind
his only entertainment was the vast space
it was full and empty
too far away to feel close
he retreated into his mind
he was so powerful
the only one alive
he studied his own thoughts
he repeated every thought over and over
until the meaning was so warbled
and he had to do it
it was his only truth
taken out of context from humanity
he could do anything
no one else existed
but as these things go,
isolation ended per his original instructions
and he was welcomed warmly
but he had changed
he babbled and pushed everyone away
and the warmth froze over
his pod was detached
to prohibit further isolation
but his mind went with it

Poem #529

~ Georgia Tell ~ 1 Comment

we revolve around a black sun
I’m a planet
she’s a comet
or maybe vice versa?
I’m space junk
she’s an asteroid
maybe we orbit
maybe we float
but definitely in this star system
the darkness is so bright
the heat is so cold
gravity pulls us closer

Poem #493

~ Georgia Tell ~ 1 Comment

on Europa:
take a high speed elevator
up to one of six viewing stations
gaze through thick clear plastic
up at the Jupiter gases
turn around and feel the chill
of the universe and faraway Sun

Poem #399

~ Georgia Tell ~ 1 Comment

we set up camp in the desert
when it was already dark
we pitched our tents by flashlight
and shimmied into pajamas
as the cold desert air numbed us
I cocooned in a sleeping bag
staring up at the tent ceiling
wishing I was staring at the stars

Poem #324

~ Georgia Tell ~ 1 Comment

a girl with a cat
sat on an asteroid
she swung her legs
meager gravity sufficed
she wasn’t alive
she wasn’t dead
she existed
passing crafts didn’t nod
passing crafts ignored
and she continued existing
forever and always

The Golden Record: Find Us Among the Stars

~ Georgia Tell ~ Leave a comment

Forty years ago, NASA sent out Voyagers 1 and 2 to study the Solar System. In 2012, Voyager 1 reached interstellar space — the first human-made anything to do so. Both voyagers were carrying the Golden Record — this amazing phonograph made in the span of five months to represent Earth to any extraterrestrial beings that might intercept them as they travel space.

Yesterday, I went a panel discussion at CalTech with Ann Druyan, Reggie Watts, Lynda Obst, David Pescovitz and Ed Stone. They talked about the content on the Golden Record and some of the stories behind particular inclusions. They sent pictures, music, names, sounds, “hello” in many languages and some whale language as well. Ann and Lynda (who I don’t believe was on the committee choosing these works for the Golden Record) were particularly fantastic at expressing how much this responsibility and privilege affected them.

Just the idea of trying to encapsulate humanity strikes my mind with wonder. How would I choose those 115 images (storage capabilities in the 1970s were nothing like they are today)? The enormity of it must have made them quiet with awe.

Even further than that, I imagine these aliens finding our technological remnant one day, and I want to know how they would interpret us. Would they like us? Would they think we’re primitive? Would they want to come to Earth (if at all possible)?

Most of all, it makes me want to write sci-fi, so I can craft an experience that encompasses the adventure and hope and wonder that space exploration might hold. Lately, I’ve been mostly writing fantasy novels, but I might want to crack my knuckles and try something new.

Just stare at the sky, imagine and write.

I’m so invigorated.