Scientific evidence tells us that in the history of life on Earth there have been five major extinction events, at least two of which were aided/caused by the impact of rather large space debris.  Our universe is, apparently, not unlike an unimaginably immense pinball machine with projectiles beyond number darting to and fro.  Science also tells us that it is only a matter of time until one of those giant pinballs finds us again, quite probably ending the game.

     In early March of this year, two such objects passed our planet within viewing range - both extremely close, astronomically speaking.  The following poem was written after these close calls.  You'll notice the title of the piece is somewhat lengthy.  Call me crazy but I've always wanted to assign one of my poems a heading almost as long as the verse itself.

On The Approach and Subsequent Departure

(in a Short Period of Time)

of a Comet and an Asteroid

 

Your visit, understood

to be a calling card,

reminds us that someday

must come.

 

But not today.  You leave

behind a world alive

with fear, wondering when,

not if.