Blip

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Houston, we have a problem
We’re not the first ones here
Through the dust kicked up when landing
I’m watching a building appear

Houston calling Space Hawk
You stand on virgin ground, 
The dust you tread was never trod
No building should be found

Space Hawk calling Houston
Is Commander Greg Braggs near
I’m entering the building
That we know cannot be here

Houston calling Space Hawk
Commander Greg Braggs speaking
Get back to your lander, Son
Your mental health is creaking

Space Hawk calling Houston
That’s a negative; I’m in
It’s like mission control up here
Like NASA built a twin
There’s people too but all are dead
They all have I.D. tags
I’m checking out the nearest one
His name’s… Commander Braggs!

Houston calling Space Hawk
It’s situation brown
It’s Eighteen Thirty hours
And we’ve got to stand you down

Space Hawk calling Houston
You do sound quite alive
But your watch says Six Thirty
And mine Six Thirty Five

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Ilene Bauer

Date: 10/1/2022 1:23:00 PM

i love the way you've told this story, terry! the rhyme of "i.d. tags" and "commander braggs" is delightfully unexpected and brought a huge grin to my face...

Terry Flood
Date: 10/1/2022 2:58:00 PM

Thanks, Ilene. I had considered momentarily that ‘Commander Braggs’ might be a little contrived (of course, in essence, it was) so I’m glad it wasn’t too obvious. I went through so many titles for this, a lot of which were based around the question, what happens at NASA when it’s 6:35 there. But when I came up with ‘Blip’, it just seemed to cover all scenarios. Glad you enjoyed. Terry

Jeff Kyser

Date: 9/30/2022 1:00:00 PM

Nice yarn, Terry - I like it! Now where's Major Tom?

Terry Flood
Date: 9/30/2022 3:19:00 PM

Glad you got the connection, Jeff. I’d thought about a title that played on Space Oddity or Ashes to Ashes, but I could imagine so many possibilities for what was occurring (including complete sanity) that i left that conclusion to the reader. Thanks. Terry

L Milton Hankins

Date: 9/30/2022 12:55:00 PM

Terry, this is an eerie story. I do hope Space Hawk has the wherewithal and the know-how to get back home! OTOH, perhaps he ought to just stay put and search for food!

Terry Flood
Date: 9/30/2022 3:27:00 PM

Thanks, Milt. Actually tinkered with this for days. Wasn’t sure what I thought was going on, but I wanted it to read as though I was. Glad you enjoyed. Terry