Picture a vacuum
An endless and unmoving blackness
Peace
Or the absence, at least, of terror
Now, see, in amongst all this space
That speck of light in the furthest corner
Gold as a pharaoh's coffin
Now follow that light with your tired eyes
It's been a long day, I know, but look -
Watch as it flickers and it roars into fullness
And fills the whole frame
Blazing a fire you can't bear the majesty of
Here is our Sun!
And look - see how the planets are dangled around it
And held in that intricate dance?
There is our Earth
Our Earth
Its blueness soothes the sharp burn in your eyes
Its contours remind you of love
That soft roundness
The comfort of ocean and landmass
Picture the world
Older than she ever thought that she'd get
She looks at herself as she spins
Arms loaded with the trophies of her most successful child
The pylons and mines
The power-plants shimmer in her still, cool breath
Now, is that a smile that plays across her lips?
Or is it a tremor of dread?
The sadness of mothers as they watch the fates of their children unfold
In now
In fast
Kaleidoscopic vision
The colours like drugs in your belly, churning
Your skin pulled loose as a pup's, shaken and tighten
Now everything's flashing
And the waves are magnified as they roll up towards you
And you're tiny as sand, just a speck
And as you approach the surface, all of that peace that you felt is replaced with this furious neverknown passion
You're feeling
The people. The life. Their faces are bright in your body
You're feeling
You want to be close to them
Closer
'Cause these are your species, your kindred
Where have you landed?
Uncurl yourself
Stand up and look at your limbs
All intact
Clothed in the fashion
This is a city
Let's call her London
And these are the only times you have known
"Is this what it's come to?"
You think
"What am I to make of all this?"