by Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet

Beyond Earth

Astronauts walking on the moon in 1969, Planet Earth is in the sky. Photo by Joe Han from Unsplash.

Beyond Earth

Hidden by the moon

are stars brighter than the moon…

our earth-perspective.

Beyond the boundaries of earth,

we explore wider vistas.

This morning I woke with a poem I wrote when I was about sixteen years old running through my mind. I wrote the tanka poem above, paraphrasing the poem I remembered from nearly sixty years ago, an update for today. I don’t have a copy of that old poem,”Stars,” but I have reconstructed it from memory and posted it below.

Full moon and stars. Photo by Josh Miller from Unsplash.

Stars

Hidden by the moon

are millions of stars

brighter than the moon.

Because we are small,

it is so.

Because we are wise,

we understand.

Space suit worn by a Russian Cosmonaut, Moscow museum. Photo by iman_os from Unsplash.

When I was eight years old, Russia launched Sputnik, the first satellite, and the “space race” began. Antique relics from early space exploration are on display now in museums. In 1969, when I was twenty, Americans landed on the moon. For the first time, there were photos of the whole earth taken from space.

Planet Earth from space. Photo by NASA from Unsplash.
International Space Station. Photo by NASA from Unsplash.
Space Shuttle. Photo taken in Mexico by Ivan Diaz from Unsplash.

Now, in 2022, fifty-two years after astronauts landed on the moon, unmanned spacecraft routinely photograph distant planets and send the images back to earth. Satellites are used for spy missions and international communication. They show us hurricanes from above, and help to predict weather. Commercial Space travel is in its infancy. Drones are used in warfare and by amateur photographers. Many dead satellites and other “space junk” orbit the earth.

Andromeda Galaxy seen from Russia. Photo by Tengyart from Unsplash.

Humans have much bigger dreams for future travel in space. Before us lie some important lessons about restoring and protecting this beautiful Planet Earth and living in peace with our neighbors. If, in the future, we settle in new worlds, we need to remember those lessons, respect and preserve those new environments, and live in harmony with any civilizations we discover. Star treks, yes…star wars, no!

Sunset in Goa, India, one of the beautiful places on Planet Earth. Photo by Ashutosh Saraswat from Unsplash.

Copyright© 2022 by Cheryl Batavia

Dear Fellow Bloggers,

After two failed root canals, a tooth extraction, and extensive testing of his eyes with different eye drop prescriptions, Robert has finally been cleared for cataract surgery. Numerous appointments have been scheduled for February. I may sometimes be absent from WordPress in the weeks to come. We look forward to Robert’s pre-cataract vision being restored. Many thanks to all of you who have expressed concern for Robert.

Kindest Regards,

Cheryl Batavia

89 Comments

    1. Thank you, KK, for your kind words and good wishes. Very deeply appreciated. ❤

      Glad you liked the concluding stanza. I do feel strongly about environmental issues. It would be a shame to trash this planet and then move on to spoil others. I love the colors in the Goa photo! Looks like a great place to visit. 🙂

      Take care, KK!

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    1. Thank you so much, David, for your kind words and good wishes. Your support is deeply appreciated. ❤ So many advances in science and technology have happened in our lifetime! I realized how much things have changed when I was choosing photos for this post.

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    1. Thank you, Eugi, for your lovely response to the post. ❤ Thank you also for your concern for Robert.

      Dental issues had to be resolved before cataract surgery could be performed. It has been a long and challenging process, but we are hopeful for a good outcome. Take care! 🙂

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  12. Cheryl, I LOVE your post! As a child, and even now, I was mad about all things space! How exciting to have lived during the space race and witnessed the moon landings! It is lovely how your childhood poem came to you one morning so many years later and I enjoyed both of your poems very much. The advances made during the past decades is incredible and yes to Star Trek and no to star wars! May it always be so. btw. Wasn’t it astonishing with the latest James Webb telescope, extraordinary design and unfurling in space.

    Cheryl, best of luck with Robert’s operation and hope it is soon carried out and he can see well again! hugs xx

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    1. Annika, your kind comment means a lot to me! I am happy you enjoyed the post. Robert was aware of the amazing new James Webb telescope and we are watching a YouTube video about it right now. Thank you so much for bringing it to my attention! ❤

      It has taken months to get the dental issues resolved (two failed root canals, antibiotics, and finally, an extraction) so that we could schedule the cataract surgery. We are hopeful. Thank you so much for your encouragement. I hope you have been able to resolve your dental concerns. ❤

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    2. Annika, the Webb Telescope is truly amazing! There are numerous YouTube videos available. I am sorry that I did not know about it when I wrote this post. My post is more nostalgia and personal perspective than science. I think it would be wonderful if you did a post about the Webb Telescope! I would be interested to read it! ❤

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      1. Cheryl, it hadn’t occured to me to write about the James Webb telescope and that’s a great idea! I loved your nostalgic look at your space memories – mine was the space shuttle era and instead of pop star posters my bedroom wall was decorated with space shuttle posters!😀

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    1. Thank you, Michel. It is quite amazing the advances in science and technology achieved in our lifetime. I remember when the big deal was breaking the sound barrier! Thank you for the kind wishes for Robert; they are very much appreciated! I hope you and Janine are doing well! Have a great day!
      Love,
      Cheryl

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      1. In 1969 , Cheryl, we were in vacation when the Americans llanded on the moon . We rushed to a family member who had the TV to watch the first images and video of this historic landing
        Love ❤
        Michel

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  14. It is so precious to read your beautiful poem that has stayed with you in essence for all these years. The glimpse of Earth as a whole planet from outer space is such a magnificent glimpse and an attitudinal adjustment to our perspectives. Both in terms of its beauty and wonder, and also the respect and reverence it deserves from us. Sending wishes for Robert for utmost ease throughout.

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    1. Thank you, Pragalba, for your kind remarks. It means a lot that you like the old high school poem. It is indeed a wonderful perspective to see the whole earth in its “beauty and wonder!” I agree that it deserves respect and reverence, much more than it has been given.

      Thank you so much for your encouraging words for Robert! Have a beautiful day! ❤ ❤ ❤

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      1. You are very welcome my friend. Much Love.
        I wish you to visit my latest post ‘Phenomena at the Ocean’ at your convenience – only because I wish you to see the magnificence our planet shared with me _()_

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  15. How wonderful that your poem has stayed with you all these years to be shared now. It has inspired an important, well written message. I’ve been a fan of science fiction since age 11 when I discovered the classic Star Trek and Mr. Spock was my first crush. Yet your words clarify for me the strong possibility that we are not yet ready to go to the stars. First, we need to grow up and clean up planet earth.

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    1. Thank you, JoAnna, for your thoughtful and well-considered comment. ❤ I like how you put it, "First, we need to grow up and clean up planet earth!" I think that Star Trek projected very positive messages, and I always enjoyed watching it.

      If your first crush was Dr. Spock, I think we have in common that we both like smart men! 🙂

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      1. The original Star Trek came out when my dad was in Vietnam, and I was entering puberty. It was a chaotic time for our family, so Spock offered stability. I’m thankful to have finally ended up with a smart man.

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  19. Lovely post/poems Cheryl – as always. Seeing the earth from outer space always reminds me how precious our little home is. I’m all for space exploration – but we have some cleaning up to do at home first. Take care Cheryl 🙏

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  24. “Beyond Earth” there is hope. We, humans, are naturally curious. In ancient times, also, people used to gaze at “the stars”, trying to interpret the universe in their way.

    Modern technology has revolutionised the space sector, and Elon Musk leads it globally. He has a long time vision.

    But the “life” on the earth has given us organisation and political systems, environment and nature, food and agriculture, science and technology, commerce and economy and civilisation and culture with a highly engaged diverse internet.

    Uncountable lives are running every day, moved-unmoved, changed-unchanged and somehow strongly bonded together. We should continue our conversations on space.

    Say “Hi” to Robert from me, and tell him he’ll everything will be fine. We are with you. 💪

    Thank you so much, Cheryl.🤗❤

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    1. Thank you, Loku, for sharing your thoughts. It is interesting to see how someone from the younger generation views the history of space exploration. 🙂 Thank you also for the encouraging words for Robert. He has gone through a lot to get to this point. Have a great week! ❤ ❤ ❤

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  26. I love when people talks about space instead of politics.
    Such a beautiful poem you’ve written. Writing these deep beautiful lines at a very young age shows how much talented you were from the start.

    My best wishes for you and Robert ❣

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  27. Loved this post, Cheryl. From seeing that first moon landing as a child, I have always been fascinated by space exploration. It’s amazing how far that journey’s come.
    Wishing you and Robert all the best. Cataract surgery will make such a difference to him. 🤗💖

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  34. I remeber as a young boy pinning newspaper cuttings to my bedroom wall of the Apollo astronauts and their amazing journies to the moon. Years later just by chance whilst living in the US I found myself at a dinner party where the guest of honour was Buzz Aldrin. I found him to be a very modest but very interesting man.

    Fast forward to 2022 it seems a shame that so far the return to the moon of NASA with Artemis 1 hasn’t got the news coverage the endeavour deserves.

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