One star seemed to separate itself

a traveller,

silver sheath at light speed

a mote,

and as if hanging

cast a swathe of itself

as the old Earth came into view

and its front slid back

became an eye.

Once there had been a moon, tides

a sun's rays,

life

now there were other contenders.

 

The arid Earth had turned its back

seeking a new master,

weary in death,

Mountain ranges, valleys grey and forlorn

stippled a uniformity of umber sky.

 

Information collected

the eye began to close

the bullet ship passing on

with no second glance

no thoughts of its own.