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Ignis Fatuus

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Okay, okay, I confess. We stole the only hyperdrive ship that wasn't destroyed in the war. But what choice did we have? Our world is on the brink of annihilation. For hundreds of years my species has polluted the air, soil and water. Global wars have decimated once thriving metropolises. Diseases and pandemics are rampant. Our only hope was the construction of spaceships capable of interstellar travel so that we might locate a new world, a new home. But the bombs took them all out, save one. After seizing control of the space station, we did what we must to survive. And so here we are, travelling through the void of space, searching for an M class planet to make our new start. Ours was once a proud race whose cultural achievements were of the highest order. Surely, we can reach that pinnacle once more if given the chance. Our sensors have located what appears to be a living planet in a solar system beyond our own. We have engaged the hyperdrive engines and expect to reach our destination momentarily. The excitement among the crew is palpable. We enter the atmosphere and achieve a perfect, soft landing atop a large promontory. Eureka! Our new home, a paradise. The sea is vast and pristine, the skies are azure blue, the air sweet with the scent of the local flora. No more wars. No more pollution. Never again will guns and bombs and disease plague us. Just as we are contemplating this glorious future, we espy a message being written in the sky by some type of primitive aircraft and in an alien tongue. WELCOME TO PLANET EARTH the search is over new start for a dying race hell is for dreamers

Copyright © | Year Posted 2023




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Date: 2/5/2024 1:53:00 PM
Congratulations on your placement in my Science Fiction Poetry Contest. It was a very well thought out and nicely presented. BTW sometimes rules are allowed to be broken! Judges will judge!
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Tom Woody
Date: 2/5/2024 2:25:00 PM
Yes'm and thx
Date: 2/5/2024 12:19:00 PM
This is a personal favourite for me, congrats on your placement.
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Tom Woody
Date: 2/5/2024 1:35:00 PM
Thx Rick. Congrats on your first place win. I didn't follow the rules lol
Date: 1/18/2024 7:32:00 PM
I like it. The Twilight Zone twist in the end. Nice - out of the frying pan? Did you know that in space there are huge grease (aliphatic carbon) patches that would make Star Trek-like light speed travel almost impossible?
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Tom Woody
Date: 1/19/2024 6:10:00 AM
Hey thx for visiting my space, you're welcome here any time Anais
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Tom Woody
Date: 1/19/2024 6:09:00 AM
I just read the Smithsonian article. It didn't suggest that light speed would be impossible, just a bit messy
Date: 10/11/2023 1:25:00 PM
all that time I believed it was earthlings and not aliens who were on the spaceship, so I had to see the comments below to realize the irony. haha
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Tom Woody
Date: 10/11/2023 1:26:00 PM
Thx. These writes must be read carefully. See ya
Date: 10/11/2023 4:44:00 AM
I loved the storyline and the truth within your narrative words with an impactful ending. Wow! Those poor aliens arriving at this point in time. Begs the question, "Are we earthlings also a dying race...like those aliens...hmmm."
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Tom Woody
Date: 10/11/2023 5:39:00 AM
Ahh I see you got the twist, some didn't. Yes, if I was an alien looking for paradise I wouldn't land here. Thx Sara
Date: 8/24/2023 12:57:00 AM
Such a magnificent piece this is, WOW! The title itself was enough to captivate my attention.. A quite interesting storyline where (I feel) you've described about aliens ruining their own planet and then coming in search of a similar habitat, finding earth, only to discover their end.. That twist in the end definitely intrigued my heart and I just couldn't help but ponder on the very evocative issues you've highlighted here.. Particularly that ending with 'hell is for dreamers' brilliantly done!
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Tom Woody
Date: 8/24/2023 5:18:00 AM
This Hiya so much. You're one of the few that actually understood the twist and that these were aliens who ruined their own world, then find earth thinking it's going to be a paradise. Boy are they in for a surprise.
Date: 8/23/2023 7:47:00 AM
Hello Tom. Please allow me to let your words stand. There is nothing I could add other than saying this is well thought out. Anyone reading this entry can tell you are most skilled. May the pen always be with you. Now about the dreamers... Thank you for sharing. Have a wonderful day. Take Care (smile)
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Tom Woody
Date: 8/23/2023 9:45:00 AM
You have a nice day too Lisa
Date: 8/22/2023 1:38:00 PM
Interesting story that would have been worth of the Twilight Zone. As bad as things get, the remedies put in place seem strangely small in scale. What is most remarkable is that a vast number of people who should know better seem not to want t change.
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Tom Woody
Date: 8/22/2023 1:41:00 PM
The funny thing is, if you took a survey in your neighborhood and asked this question: Are you for world peace? The answers would almost unanimously be yes. And I think that would hold true for most neighborhoods anywhere in the world. There is something more sinister going on behind the scenes, Duke - 1 John 5:19
Date: 8/21/2023 10:43:00 PM
What an interesting story Tom..We made a Hell out of our Haven,and now in search to reach the planet M where we can find another Dreamland Eureka...to destroy that as well maybe?Aliens are more progressive than us..Maybe they'll teach us something from their Alien world. Love the message in the story. If only we could stop Wars,Bombs,Greed,Mal-power..but maybe it's already too late.
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Tom Woody
Date: 8/22/2023 5:31:00 AM
My dear Charmaine, thx for visit. Yes, we have fouled our nest and continue, relentlessly. In this story the aliens apparently are no better
Date: 8/18/2023 3:47:00 AM
So enjoyed reading this one again. Worth the suspense and the surprise ending, Wow. Btw, how come you know so much about Aliens? Makes one wonder. I'm starting to believe Keith might not be far off with his speculations about you. Lol
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Tom Woody
Date: 8/18/2023 5:26:00 AM
The only question is am I from Vulcan, Ork or Melmac? Hmmm
Date: 8/17/2023 8:01:00 AM
Man is a destructive animal, probably why other planets chose to be faraway. Mind you, they may not be as far as they could now.
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Tom Woody
Date: 8/17/2023 8:13:00 AM
An interesting song is Planet Caravan by Black Sabbath. The lyrics suggest that space travelers choose to pass by earth rather than stop. Not hard to see why
Date: 8/17/2023 7:49:00 AM
Love it. Very nice ending. Earth will annihilate us before we annihilate it -- will not be the first time a specie needed replacing. Blessings my friend.
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Tom Woody
Date: 8/17/2023 8:14:00 AM
What these travelers left behind is an indication of what they would ultimately bring, despite noble intentions
Date: 8/17/2023 2:51:00 AM
Sounds like an Anunnaki fairy tale but so relevant even today. Unfortunately, what we see from the beginning of recorded history is no progress in the heart centre of man. What a pity.
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Tom Woody
Date: 8/17/2023 5:09:00 AM
Some might argue we're worse off than when we started. Thx for stopping
Date: 8/17/2023 2:30:00 AM
As always, deft use of brevity with vivid and profoundly meaningful imagery and unique poetic expression. Im not sure I entirely philosophically agree with your final line, and believe that the abstract, descriptive and metaphorical notions of hell exist not only existentially but can manifest into various distortions of subjective reality. Always inspired by your work Tom- you are profound and insightful. Sincerely, Elizabeth
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Tom Woody
Date: 8/17/2023 5:10:00 AM
Hell is not always for dreamers, to be clear. But it is for these space travelers. Thx for insightful comment
Date: 8/16/2023 7:59:00 PM
(Eccl. 1:9) ~ "There's nothing new under the sun." In a dream state, the world is a perfect place. Interesting story and title, by the way. :) Hugs, Brandy
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Tom Woody
Date: 8/17/2023 5:11:00 AM
Thx for stopping Brandy. Appreciate you
Date: 8/16/2023 6:07:00 PM
Well, I definitely just learned a new word(s) today. And would you believe I actually know someone with the name Fatus. Lol. Anyways, yeah, you do have a mind fills with epic stories :)
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Tom Woody
Date: 8/17/2023 5:12:00 AM
Hey Kina! I use the thesaurus alot when writing and came across this. The secondary definition seemed to fit so I thought it would be cool to use it
Date: 8/16/2023 2:15:00 PM
As soon as I read the title ( I looked up the meaning) I knew this was a quest of something BIG. No more wars. No more pollution. Never again will guns and bombs and disease plague us. I too welcome that dream--here on earth!
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Tom Woody
Date: 8/16/2023 2:26:00 PM
Me too Veej, but if you read again more closely that's not what's happening here my friend. It's a Twilight Zone twist
Date: 8/16/2023 1:57:00 PM
anunnaki?
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Tom Woody
Date: 8/16/2023 2:36:00 PM
Then again I suppose they could be a modern version. Descendants? Hmmm
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Tom Woody
Date: 8/16/2023 2:09:00 PM
No god's here. Just desperate souls destined for disappointment
Date: 8/16/2023 12:08:00 PM
Tom, your use of imagery is truly exceptional. Your writing exhibits a remarkable level of skill and craftsmanship, my friend. Your innate ability to captivate readers and weave intricate narratives truly shines through in this particular form, which suits you perfectly. I sincerely appreciate your thoughtful comment on my page.
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Tom Woody
Date: 8/16/2023 1:08:00 PM
That's very generous thank you sotto. I love telling an interesting story
Date: 8/16/2023 10:20:00 AM
Strange I was thinking along the same lines of interstellar travel. But my poem would have been vastly different. It is still rambling in my mind. Great story though.
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Tom Woody
Date: 8/16/2023 10:21:00 AM
We'd love to read yours Vic. Thx for visit
Date: 8/16/2023 9:47:00 AM
A world that can discover hyperdrive and yet destroys itself is doomed to repeat...repeat...repeat...Evocative tale. :o/
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Tom Woody
Date: 8/16/2023 9:52:00 AM
So true... Thx
Date: 8/16/2023 7:06:00 AM
I like the twist and turn at the end. Good story to share with us here on planet earth. Someday it will be made new. I wonder what it will be like in the end when all will be perfect. Thanks for sharing this one with us and for dropping by my page. Sara
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Tom Woody
Date: 8/16/2023 9:35:00 AM
Yes, I love a surprise twist. Appreciated
Date: 8/16/2023 6:15:00 AM
You are a great story teller and this form is perfect for you, which you have always done well. There is always a touch of reality in such fantasy poems.... in regards to aliens... maybe they already walk amongst us....
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Silent One
Date: 8/16/2023 6:37:00 AM
Well you have opened a can of worms with that question.. yes they are... maybe they put us on the planer and are thinking what the hell have they created... like those movies where the robots take over.. maybe we have taken over? Blows the mind..
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Tom Woody
Date: 8/16/2023 6:15:00 AM
Do you think they're crying on the inside? Thx for stopping big guy
Date: 8/16/2023 5:53:00 AM
Hell is for dreamers? How do you come up with such profound and poetic lines! Excellent haibun! You definitely are the master of haibuns, you’ve written a powerful one and i agree, sadly, this is surely is like a poetic awakening to all those sleeping on what revolves around. I love the imagery too here. And apologies if i have read this before, i read so much i can barely remember my own poems .. still need to try haibun
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Tom Woody
Date: 8/16/2023 5:57:00 AM
There's an old saying: Careful what you wish for. These aliens are in for a let down. Thx Inky for your support

Book: Shattered Sighs