UFOs

In UFOs we put our trust 

those aliens who art in heaven 

Those flying saucers full of dust 

our daily bread without the leaven 

Our eyes turn upward to the skies 

in fervent hope of friendly rescue 

Our ears are full of welcome lies 

we whisper up a silent thank you 

In UFOs we place our hope, 

to save our planet from destruction 

Our troubles are beyond our scope 

so we welcome alien intervention 

Civilisations more advanced 

must have the answers to our woes 

Their technology will be enhanced 

so they could save us, we suppose

We see the strange lights in the sky 

and wish our saviours would arrive 

across the gulf of space they'll fly 

by interstellar hyper-drive

And as our world dies from our labours 

The truth is never all it seems 

We welcome you, our cosmic neighbours! 

Oh. What’s that? A laser beam? 

Steve Wheeler © 11 May, 2021 

image source

Uncanny Valley

The first time I encountered a robot machine
Was in a deserted street in Milton Keynes.
I was making my way through a bland shopping mall
When the robot passed by, like some strange magic ball.

The sudden appearance of the automaton
Gained my full attention, and I stopped to look on
At the sleek new design and its enamelled curves
And I wondered what mission, what purpose it served

In that uncanny moment I perceived its intent
As it pressed on ahead to the point it was sent
It showed no concern at my rapt fascination
Programmed to continue regardless of humans, to its destination.

Other robots I had previously observed
Looked static and harmless, no jangling of the nerves
Exhibited in museums, and limited in their reach
Yet this device was free to range through deserted streets

And I wondered as I watched it pass eerily by
Along the darkened streets of MK, oblivious to the gaze of my eye
Whether any intelligence, malevolent or kind
Could ever exist inside such a digital mind.

Steve Wheeler © 21 June, 2020