The Mission Poem by Paul Warren

The journey had lasted several years
Whilst the crew slept together with no fear
Through space they accelerated
To an earth like planet they anticipated
Would it hold a civilisation earth-like
Travelling in peace as their exploration flight

They were awakened a week from touchdown
To prepare for meeting the people on the planet ground
For an unmanned probe had found the planet
Years before this manned flight to explore it
And they were able to intercept the planet's transmissions
As they went to orbiting the planet without hesitation

They could see the cities nested on the continents
As the night descended in the quiet moments
When the lights of the city were turned on
The night fell for the cities all along
But there was something strange that they noticed
There was no movement to be noted

The first to touch down found them
In their beds each seemingly in their planned end
With families and friends the last moment together
What caused it a mystery to be solved maybe never
But the strangest thing of all was for their contemplation
Their preservation was perfect down to their smiles of elation

We searched their towns and cities
Where they became an object of pity
It was such a strange thing to behold
The whole thing seemed to be so cold
Finally it was explained as a sign from their god foretold
Contact with an unknown ship fitted their deathly mould.

© Paul Warren Poetry