The Mission

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