Published 2021-06-01
“…when we were astronauts in trainingCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
we spun around at a breakneck speedCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
in a shining sphere in the darkCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
until our eyes ended upCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
on the other side of everything
when we were cosmonauts in training CHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
we had to endure with a smile CHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
the pin that pricked the left side of our chestsCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
the pin that bore the badge of a heroCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
combusting in flamesCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
somewhere far away
when we were astronauts in trainingCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
our lady friendsCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
our future wives had to smile andCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
tap their fingers on a burnt down cigaretteCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
their hands, red nails andCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
the soft arm of a child intertwined
when we were cosmonauts in trainingCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
we had to sing with othersCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
eat with the chosen
ones and dance as ifCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
we’re already floating in a capsuleCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
through the depths of dark
when we were astronauts in trainingCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
we were told we must believe CHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
in ourselves and the future that was already thereCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
that we had to
go out thereCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
that we were the best of all of thoseCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
who stood around us and now clapped CHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
we climbed the cross aloneCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
that’s how mad we’d gone
when we were cosmonauts in trainingCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
good old earth
do not cry we said CHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
good old earth
do not be afraid CHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
the days passed ohCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
stay put
do not budgeCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
this is between us and the future CHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
between our capsule swirlingCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
along the edge of what CHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
can only meanCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
you’ll never see us againCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
when we were in trainingCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
we drove in the sunCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
by the lake where the fishermen cast theirCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
shoulders into the sludgeCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
and muddy watersCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
through the crowns in which the dry leaves CHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
quiveredCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
when we were in trainingCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
we were already dying of boredom and the prospectCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
of chasms in our livesCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
we found ourselves besideCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
a very old dogCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
it’s Rufus you saidCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
it’s LaikaCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
I tried to cheer you up
and then came a woman strapped with a bombCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
stood between us and set herself offCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
the vacuum sucked up all the bloomCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
all the sudden future and our running had to stop
when we were astronauts in trainingCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
when we were cosmonauts in trainingCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
the training lacked somethingCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
only the ferns grew around usCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
as we sat back into the evening splatteredCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
with mudCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
large concrete blocks crumbling downCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
and a cloud of dust and ashes rising into a very dark night
and then came a woman strapped with a bombCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
with a fair face and a fixed gazeCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
she set herself offCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
and so it goes on for this whole afternoonCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
the nightCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
the uncertain morning in a vacuumCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
Rufus has lost a legCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
Laika is deadCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
we have to accept itCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
while on our facesCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
in the dust the bluish images flash CHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
the flame and great cloudsCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
of ashes rise up in the endCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
into that vast spaceCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
and finally finally…”
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