Cosmic Detention or Contemplating the Universe Beneath a Dark Sky. And No, I’m Not High
Maybe-
the reason we haven’t had a recent visit from extraterrestrials
is because we just aren’t ready for them.
Maybe
this planet is a giant playpen
with high sides on our technology
so we won’t climb out
and stick our fingers
into the
Socket Of Creation
and break it
Maybe
we need a few more millenia
to winnow out our aggression
and our massive egos
before the Galactic Babysitters
will consider taking us
on a deep space field trip
Maybe
they already left behind
a whole lot of evidence of their earlier visits-
You know,
before humanity grew into
an out of control
raging
hormonal cluster of adolescents
who perpetuate the myths
that only males should rule the planet
and colors should be sorted into
keep
and
discard piles-
and myths like animals are food
and that one group’s religious superhero
could beat up another groups religious superhero
Maybe
many light years out
there’s a perimeter warning that reads:
RESTRICTED AREA;
INHABITANTS CANNOT BE TRUSTED TO MAKE GOOD CHOICES
They’re right you know.
We aren’t ready
So here we sit
drumming fingers on our desks
waiting for the door to open
that let’s us out of Cosmic Detention

And lovely poets may have the first keys….